Childhood Leukemia Chemotherapy Side Effects

Chemotherapy damage to quickly dividing cells can cause side effects such as low blood cell counts nausea diarrhea or hair loss during treatment.

Childhood leukemia chemotherapy side effects.

Dr van der plas specializes in looking at the neurocognitive effects of childhood leukemia treatment. These side effects can include. Coping with side effects. Hair loss mouth sores loss of appetite diarrhea nausea and vomiting.

Children treated for brain tumors or acute lymphoblastic leukemia all are more likely to be affected due to the therapies used to treat these cancers. Late effects on the other hand may happen many years later. These problems may become noticeable months or even years after treatment and may change over time. Side effects of chemotherapy will depend mainly on the type of drug the dose how it s given and your child s overall health.

Low blood cell counts sore mouth and throat. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause problems with mental functions such as concentration memory and the ability to multitask to keep track of and do different tasks at the same time. She published a research paper in september last year showing that childhood all survivors are more likely to have difficulties with memory and inhibition or voluntary restraint of motor actions than children who have not had leukemia. These effects are sometimes referred to as chemobrain or brain fog.

These short term side effects usually go away over time after treatment is over. However chemotherapy side effects typically cause fear and apprehension. A child s whole body is growing. These side effects may occur within days after beginning chemotherapy treatment.

Long term and late effects can include. Dealing with side effects can be very difficult. Some common side effects of chemotherapy drugs used for childhood leukemia are. Many of these stop when treatment stops.

However your medical team will be with you always and if your side effects are serious they will lower your dose and do anything that helps you feel better. In some cases however side effects follow a different. Some side effects can be hard to discuss. Patients and families often feel overwhelmed physically and emotionally.

However cognitive problems have been. Learning problems can develop in children treated with high dose chemotherapy or intrathecal chemotherapy with methotrexate or. Late effects of treatments for childhood leukemia. It is normal to feel frustrated sad angry embarrassed or self conscious.