Before going through the long term side effects of chemotherapy treatment, let us quickly understand what chemotherapy treatment is and why does this treatment have many side effects as compared to other treatment options available. Chemotherapy is a form of treatment wherein drugs called as chemotherapy drugs are used to treat  different types of cancers. The drugs used in this treatment are either given intravenously to the patient or are given orally. There are devices such as port a cath that can also be used to administer the chemotherapy drugs. Chemotherapy treatment can involve the use of a single drug or a combination of different chemotherapy drugs. It is found with the experience of the experts and the response of the cancer patients that combination of chemotherapy drugs is more effective than a single drug. The drugs that are used to treat different types of cancer are many times a standard set of drugs or standard chemotherapy regimens are followed. However, the regimen can be altered if unfavorable results are seen within a short time since the start of the treatment. Chemotherapy drugs are given in different cycles, during which the treatment is given for a day or two and it is followed by a rest period. This completes a cycle. So if the regimen remains the same, the chemotherapy cycles may vary for different patients depending on the patient’s response to the treatment. One of the most important factors that determine the next chemotherapy cycle is the side effects of chemotherapy that may persist for some time after the treatment.

Some of the common chemotherapy treatments, regardless of the type of cancer are nausea and vomiting, fatigue, hair loss, diarrhea, constipation, low blood cell counts etc. These side effects are reversible with the use of certain medications. Although almost all the chemotherapy side effects may be treated, there may be some that remain for a long term. Let’s take a look at some of the more severe and long term side effects of chemotherapy treatment.

Chemotherapy: Long Term Side Effects

Many of the side effects that remain after the chemotherapy treatment is over are specific to certain chemotherapy drugs. These side effects may seem like short-term and mild at first but may become chronic and also develop new side effects. In many cases, chemotherapy is given along with other treatment methods such as the radiation therapy. This also leaves the patient at a high risk of being affected by the long term side effects of chemotherapy. Given below are some of the long term side effects of chemotherapy that have been noticed in some patients.

Infertility

Most of the side effects are noticed and detected while undergoing chemotherapy treatment. However, there may be damage that can be left undetected until after the chemotherapy treatment is over. One of it may be organ damage, which may or may not be detected when undergoing the treatment course. Chemotherapy drugs cause damage to the reproductive organs and if it is noticed by the doctors that vital organs are being damaged, then the drug is stopped for a stipulated period and a different combination is given. However, if this damage remains undiscovered, it could lead to permanent damage of the reproductive organ and infertility.

Hemorrhagic Cystitis

Hermorrhagic cystitis is the medical term for blood in the urine. This may be known as one of the chemotherapy side effects however it may well remain for a longer period of time than assumed. This is a side effect of a chemotherapy drug called cyclophosphamide and the side effect could worsen after the intake of drug is stopped. Treatment is available for this side effect and therefore when discovered, it should be brought to the immediate attention of the doctor.

Nerve Damage

Changes in the nervous system of the patient who underwent chemotherapy treatment may take years or a few months to develop. Ringing in the ears, hearing loss, sleepiness, lack of memory, seizures, short attention span, change in personality, change in the sensation of the hands and feet etc are some of the signs that suggest damage in the nervous system.

Weak Immune System

Chemotherapy drugs often result in low blood cell counts leaving the immune system weak and at a higher risk to infection and more prone to bleeding and bruising. To strengthen the immune system is gradually possible by following a healthy diet and getting adequate exercise for the body however, immediately after the chemotherapy treatment is over the body remains vulnerable to infection for some time.

Slow Growth and Development in Children

Chemotherapy drugs are too strong and also toxic in nature. This slows down the growth and development process and also affects the learning ability of young children. Please note that this could have a long term side effect on some children but many factors such as the age of the child, the duration of the treatment, the dosage, the combination of drugs used etc. help determine the severity of the side effect.

High Risk of another Cancer

Chemotherapy drugs could potentially increase the risk of developing a different type of cancer later in life. However, the chances of developing another cancer depend on factors such as the age of the patient and the other treatment methods used on the patient with the chemotherapy treatment. If another type of cancer appears in the patients who have undergone chemotherapy treatment before, it is called secondary cancer. Some of the secondary cancers that are commonly reported are lymphomas, leukemias and solid tumors.
Other possible long term side effects of chemotherapy include heart damage such as arrhythmia, left ventricular failure and lung damage etc. Please note that these are the potential long term effects of chemotherapy treatment, many of which have been noticed in patients who have undergone chemotherapy. It does not show up in all the patients, so one does not need to panic but it should be discussed in advance with the doctor before undergoing the chemotherapy treatment.