Managing Side Effects From Leukemia and Lymphoma Treatment

Chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a major problem for many people who undergo chemotherapy for their leukemia or lymphoma. In fact, patients often think the two automatically go hand in hand- if you are getting chemo, you are going to spend the whole time throwing up.

While a large number of drugs used to treat blood cancers do cause nausea and vomiting, science has come a long way in the last decade in developing new medications that prevent CINV.

• Why Does Nausea and Vomiting Occur With Chemotherapy?
• Top 4 Questions on Chemotherapy Related Nausea and Vomiting
• Treatment of Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting
• Types of Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting
• Chemotherapy Drugs and the Risk of Nausea and Vomiting

Radiation therapy to the head and throat areas can lead to difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia. Swallowing solid foods or even liquids can be difficult and painful.

• Swallowing Problems During Radiotherapy

Hair loss or alopecia from chemotherapy treatment can cause an extreme amount of distress in men and women that experience it. Alopecia usually begins a couple of weeks after the first round of chemotherapy, and can affect any hair on your body- including eyebrows and lashes. It is surprising the difference it makes when you do not have hair to frame your facial features!

The good news- your hair will almost always grow back when treatment is complete.

• Hair Loss During Treatment - What You Need to Know

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy for leukemia and lymphoma can lead to very painful mouth sores called oral mucositis. In addition to making it difficult to eat or swallow, mouth sores can lead to infections, especially if your immune system is weak.

The best medicine for mucositis is an ounce of prevention, starting even before your treatment does.

• FAQs About Mouth Care for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Patient

The expression "chemobrain" is used to describe thinking and memory difficulties following chemotherapy treatments. More and more, research is confirming what cancer patients have been telling us for years- this side effect does exist, it is not all in your head...

• Chemobrain: Cognitive and Memory Problems After Chemotherapy

Between the nausea and mouth sores, you may not feel much like eating during your cancer treatment. However, this is the time when you need healthy nutrition the most.

• Top 7 Diet Tips During Chemotherapy

There are many reasons why you may experience diarrhea during your treatment. It could be caused by the chemotherapy or radiotherapy irritating the walls of your bowels, the antibiotics your doctor has prescribed for you, or the stress of living with a cancer diagnosis. Whatever the cause, there are a few things you can do to keep bowel distress at bay.

• Frequently Un- asked Questions About Treatment Related Diarrhea

While some people may get diarrhea from their treatment, others get constipation. This could be related to lack of intake, decreased excercise, or the chemotherapy drugs you are receiving

• Frequently Un- asked Questions About Treatment Related Constipation

Treatment for leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma can have a number of side effects on the skin which are not only irritating but can also lead to infections.

• How to Manage Itchy Skin
• Managing Skin Reactions During Radiation Treatment

Many patients are surprised at the effect that cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma would have on their sex life. Undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, or stem cell transplant for a blood cancer can be just as devastating as surgery.

• How Does Leukemia, Lymphoma or Myeloma Affect Your Sex Life?
• Frequently Un- asked Questions About Sex Life and Blood Cancers
• Infertility After Treatment