Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX
Common side effects of chemotherapy that you should monitor in your patients include:
- Neutropenia, which can lead to serious complications such as febrile neutropenia and neutropenic sepsis NICE NG101,NICE NG47,NICE CG151. Patients and their carers should receive written and oral information on neutropenic sepsis, including how and when to contact 24-hour specialist oncology advice and how to seek emergency care NICE CG151.
- Nausea and vomiting NICE NG101.
- Nerve damage (neuropathy), which can manifest as numbness, pain, or weakness NICE NG101,NICE NG99.
- Joint and muscle pain NICE NG101.
- Hypersensitivity reactions NICE NG101.
- Hair loss (alopecia), which can be long-term after treatment with taxanes NICE NG101.
- Cardiac toxicity NICE NG101.
It is important to be aware that some side effects, particularly after treatments like cranial radiotherapy, can be late-onset, developing months or years after treatment NICE NG99. These may include cognitive decline, epilepsy, hearing loss, and further neuropathy NICE NG99. Patients' individual risk of developing such late effects should be assessed and recorded in their written treatment summary, and explained to them and their carers NICE NG99.