Brain Tumor Chemo Side Effects

Other early side effects usually are related to the area being treated such as hair loss and mouth problems when radiation treatment is given to this area.

Brain tumor chemo side effects.

Common side effects can include. It s common for you to have a cloudy mind called chemo brain during and after treatment. This can reduce the number of white blood cells in your blood and make you more likely to get an infection. Other conditions or illnesses such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Despite this some healthy cells in the body also divide rapidly like those in the hair follicles the mouth stomach and bone marrow. As the tumor grows it creates pressure on and changes the function of surrounding brain tissue which causes signs and symptoms such as headaches nausea and balance problems. This type of chemotherapy causes slightly different side effects to capsules or intravenous chemotherapy. One of the most frustrating long term side effects especially for adolescents and young adults is chemo brain.

Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing cancer cells and aims to kill them. When chemotherapy for brain tumor starts damages these healthy cells the following side effects may follow. Damage to healthy brain tissue. Chemotherapy can help you fight cancer but side effects are almost certain.

Likewise pituitary tumors can have an effect on personality by causing the overproduction or underproduction of hormones. The most common early side effects are fatigue feeling tired and skin changes. However fast growing tumors such as glioblastomas put patients more at risk. Some side effects are caused by the surgery itself.

Although rare this side effect can cause headaches seizures or even death. Late side effects can take months or even years to develop. But a very small amount of carmustine will get into your blood. According to the american society of clinical oncology asco up to 75 of cancer patients have these cognition issues during chemo treatment and 35 continue long after treatment has ended.

Harm to the pituitary gland and other areas of the brain can happen which can affect hormone levels in the body including thyroid and sex hormones. Having other symptoms like tiredness pain or sleep problems. Hormonal imbalances can cause problems with mood emotions body weight and sexual function. Hair loss mouth sores loss of appetite nausea and vomiting diarrhea increased chance of infections from having too few white blood cells easy bruising or bleeding from having too few blood platelets fatigue from having too few red blood cells changes in.

Other drugs used as part of treatment such as steroids anti nausea or pain medicines. A brain tumor can form in the brain cells as shown or it can begin elsewhere and spread to the brain.