The current first-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma is mainly oxaliplatin-based systemic chemotherapy, and some chemotherapy-related side effects may occur.
What are the common side effects?
- Gastrointestinal reactions (nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, constipation, mucositis, etc.);
- Neurotoxicity (manifested by abnormal dullness of sensation in the limbs, aggravated by cold);
- hematologic toxicity (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, etc.);
- hemorrhage, decreased immunity, local phlebitis, mild aminotransferase elevation, rare fever, constipation, rash, etc.
How to alleviate side effects?
- Adverse gastrointestinal reactions usually resolve gradually 3-5 days after stopping the drug. If the patient’s symptoms are severe during chemotherapy, the doctor will give the patient antiemetic, antidiarrheal, laxative, and protective drugs for the mucosa of the digestive tract as appropriate.
- Peripheral neurotoxicity is usually reversible and can resolve on its own after discontinuation of the drug. During chemotherapy, patients should avoid eating cold, avoiding exposure to cold, avoiding contact with cold metal products, and using topical warming and toning herbal fumigation to prevent it.
- During chemotherapy, the doctor will closely monitor the patient’s blood count, liver and kidney function, coagulation function, and vital signs, and provide timely whitening, platelet-raising, acid-suppression, and hepatoprotection treatments according to the patient’s condition, and the patient and family should pay attention to the changes of each index and contact the doctor in case of abnormalities.
- Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma can also use immunity-boosting drugs appropriately, or family members can pay attention to improving the patient’s diet and consuming more highly nutritious foods to ensure sufficient energy.
- In addition, the doctor may give the patient a PICC line (central venous line via peripheral venous puncture) or a deep subclavian vein line or an implanted IV port to prevent local phlebitis.