Guide To Chemotherapy Side Effects

Mouth Sores

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An individual receiving treatment for cancer with chemotherapy may experience frequent and painful mouth sores. Chemotherapy is known for its effectiveness, but also for the harsh side effects it produces. One of the harsh side effects that occur in most patients who undergo chemotherapy is nausea and vomiting. Vomiting is the forceful movement of food from an individual's stomach up their esophagus and out of their mouth. When an individual vomits, potent and corrosive acids from their stomach come in contact with the tissues inside of the mouth. These acids find weaknesses in the oral mucous membranes and cause further damage to these tissues, causing them to ulcerate. This type of ulceration is often referred to as mouth sores. The mouth sores that form due to repeated exposure to acidic juices made by the stomach can become quite large. Some individuals undergoing chemotherapy develop mouth sores in clusters.

Keep reading to uncover additional chemotherapy side effects now.

Rashes

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An individual being treated with chemotherapy may develop a chemotherapy rash, also called an EGFR rash. This kind of rash usually starts as warmness in the skin and redness that is comparable to a sunburn. The rash may become scaly, bumpy, and may peel. This type of rash tends to form most often on the face, chest, and upper back. Some patients with this rash develop small pimple-like bumps, referred to as maculopapules, in the affected area. A chemotherapy rash can be painful and affect other parts of the body, like the hair on the scalp and nails in the nail beds. This type of rash develops in fifty to seventy-five percent of patients treated with an EGFR antagonist in their chemotherapy medication cocktail. Although a rash from chemotherapy can be painful and unsightly, it is deemed to be a good sign because it indicates the medications are working.

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