Side effects of lung cancer chemotherapy primarily depend on the drugs used in the chemotherapy treatment, dosage of these drugs, frequency of the cycles given, stage of the disease, overall health and age of the patient. Chemotherapy for lung cancer is used in combinations with radiation therapy or surgery or as supportive care. Some of the drugs used for the treatment of lunch cancer include vinorelbine, cisplatin, carboplatin, ifosfamide, cisplatin pemetrexed, gemticitabine, paclitaxel. Almost all these drugs have side effects, be it vinorelbine chemotherapy or  irinotecan chemotherapy or chemotherapy using any other drug, the side effects are inevitable. However, there are many medicines that have been found to minimize the side effects of these drugs.

Common Side Effects of Lung Cancer Chemotherapy :-

Some of the common side effects that patients are likely to experience are as follows: diarrhea, hair alopecia, weight loss, fatigue, depression, nausea and vomiting, and anemia. Some patients also experience chemotherapy skin  side effects  that include rashes or allergic reactions on the skin.

Some patients can experience behavioral changes; they can have depression.

These side effects are mostly temporary and most patients are able to continue with their day-to-day activities. There are many drugs available to reduce these side effects. Serotonin antagonists like ondansetron help in reducing nausea and vomiting.

An abnormally low number of red blood cells lead to anemia. However, it can be controlled by taking iron tablets or in severe cases transfusions or injections of erythropoietin

Some serious Side Effects of lung cancer chemotherapy :

• Increased chance for infection because of a weakened immune system. This mainly happens because of neutropenia i.e. low levels white blood cells. Certain chemotherapy drugs like taxanes tend to cause this condition. A drug called granulocyte colony-stimulating factor could be recommended to improve the white blood cell count.
• Liver and kidney damage is caused when cisplatin-based lung cancer chemotherapy drugs are given to the patient. A drug called amifostine is recommended to reduce the risk of kidney damage in such cases. Patients who have liver or kidney problems are not recommended these drugs .
• Abnormal blood clotting or thrombocytopenia is also one of the side effects due to low platelet counts. The doctors usually monitor the blood count of the patients during the treatment. In case the blood count is seriously low, they might even consider delaying the next cycle, changing the dosage or the drug used or even stopping the treatment altogether.
• Allergic reaction especially to platinum-based agents is also a common side effect observed in case of lung cancer chemotherapy.

Contact your doctor immediately, in case you notice the following symptoms:

•  If you have fever more than 100.5 degrees Centigrade, or you feel sick with no proper reason

•  If you have diarrhea more than four to five times a day and it does not abate even after taking medication

•  If you fell breathlessness or notice any changes in the heart beats

•  If you notice any other very unusual symptom that is not listed here

Managing the Side Effects of Lung Cancer Chemotherapy

It is advisable to have all your medications as per the instructions of your oncologist. If you miss any dosage, contact your oncologist and ask when to do. If your oncologists prescribe any drugs to prevent any side effects, prior to the treatment, do have them even if you do not experience those side effects. Always keep your mouth clean; ask your doctor for medication to relieve the mouth sores.

Hair loss can be very distressing for patients, especially the females. Before starting the treatment you can wear wigs or cut your hair short.

Another precaution that you should observe is to wear an effective sun block when you go out in the sun as the skin becomes sensitive. Have a nutritious and healthy diet. Do not physically exert yourself and take plenty of rest.
Side effects of lung cancer chemotherapy are common and sometimes severe, especially with higher doses. However, they can be managed or reduced by giving the drugs for shorter durations without compromising on the effectiveness of the treatment. Many painkilling medications available manage aggressive pain and provide relief. Reducing pain especially in elderly cancer patients can significantly lower their fatigue levels and improve symptoms.