Common Side Effects of Chemo and Radiation on kids
Chemo and radiation cause similar side effects.
Chemo's side effects depend on the type of drug used, the
dosage, and a child's overall health. These effects are more
likely to affect the whole body. Radiation's side effects, on
the other hand, tend to affect the area being treated. But
they do still depend on the dose of radiation given, the
location on the body, and whether the radiation was internal
or external. Some of them are: fatigue, flu-like symptoms,
pain, gastrointestinal problems, skin and weight changes,
hair loss, kidney and bladder problems, anemia, blood
clotting problems, neutropenia, infection. Besides that both
chemo and radiation — specifically to the head and neck —
can lead to mouth sores, sensitive gums, an irritated throat,
and an increased risk of tooth decay.
Kids with neutropenia need to take special precautions
against germs. Like all kids, they should wash their hands
well and often, especially before eating, after using the
bathroom, and after touching animals. They also need to
avoid crowded indoor places or visiting with friends or family
members who have contagious illnesses such as a cold, the
flu, or chickenpox.
Cells that help blood to clot, called platelets, are
another type of blood cell that can be affected during cancer
treatment, especially chemo. Low platelets,
orthrombocytopenia, can lead to bleeding. This may cause
small red spots on the skin, bloody or black bowel
movements, vomit, or bleeding from the nose, gums, or line
site (the area where fluids and medicines are given to people
with cancer). Kids with a low platelet count have to take it
easy to reduce the risk of bleeding. That means avoiding
rough play and contact sports (like football), and brushing
with a soft toothbrush and flossing very gently. In very
serious cases of thrombocytopenia, a child might need a
blood transfusion.
Most side effects start to go away after cancer
treatment ends and the healthy cells have a chance to grow
again. Sometimes, though, cancer treatment can cause
changes to a growing body. These long-term side effects can
include permanent damage to the heart, lungs, brain,
nerves, kidneys, thyroid gland, or reproductive organs. In
some cases, kids and teens who’ve had some types of
chemotherapy have a higher risk of developing a second
type of cancer later in life. Cancer treatment has come a long
way. But it can be hard for kids and teens to cope with the
sometimes painful or uncomfortable side effects of
treatment. Fortunately, doctors have many ways to make
treatments easier to manage.
(Available: https://kidshealth.org. Adapted.)