Common post-chemotherapy adverse effects of breast cancer

  Chemotherapy can cause chemotherapeutic reactions to breast cancer in several systems throughout the body, resulting in decreased white blood cells, decreased platelets, and even anemia in some cases. While pursuing the efficacy of chemotherapy, we should also pay equal attention to the chemotherapy reactions of breast cancer.  Common adverse reactions after chemotherapy for breast cancer Breast cancer patients and their families must understand the adverse reactions after chemotherapy and take measures to deal with them actively.  1. Myelosuppression, which is the decrease in white blood cells and platelets, and even anemia in some cases.  2, gastrointestinal reactions, which is also an important reason why patients have difficulty in adhering to or do not want to complete chemotherapy. Intense nausea and vomiting are adverse breast cancer chemotherapy reactions, which make the patient uncomfortable and unable to eat. The patient should be given anti-emetic medication and needs to build up confidence and cooperate actively.  Chemotherapy can cause some inflammation of the oral mucosa, and some patients may have mouth ulcers, mucosal ulcers, and hair loss. During chemotherapy, pay attention to the diet list, avoid spicy, appropriate amount of B vitamins and allopathic treatment.  4, post-chemotherapy hair loss, especially for some young women, resistance to chemotherapy. This hair loss is not permanent hair loss, after the end of chemotherapy most patients can also hair regeneration.  5, liver and kidney function damage, according to different drugs, the degree of damage it is different, can appear transaminase elevation, jaundice, and in serious cases can also produce acute renal failure. Liver and kidney function should be checked before chemotherapy, generally mild damage does not affect the subsequent chemotherapy, after the end of chemotherapy, liver and kidney function can gradually return to normal.  6, the toxicity of the heart, especially anthracyclines on the heart toxicity is relatively obvious, the patient can appear panic, chest tightness, and even arrhythmia, myocardial ischemia changes. Cardiac function needs to be tested during chemotherapy, and in severe cases, the dosage needs to be reduced or stopped.  7.Allergic reaction, which is brought by the drug after breast cancer chemotherapy, is divided into acute hypersensitivity reaction and chronic allergic reaction . Hyperallergic reactions are mostly seen in paclitaxel drugs, and should be carried out in strict accordance with the anti-allergic pretreatment plan provided by the doctor.  8. Some patients may have diarrhea, 5 times a day, with dilute watery stools, and need to consult a doctor for stool tests to identify them.  9, chemotherapy, if the drug leakage, can cause some necrosis of the skin, subcutaneous tissue, chemical stimulation of veins, can cause phlebitis, and even venous thrombosis. Therefore, it is recommended to establish deep vein access for chemotherapy such as PICC, infusion port device, subclavian cannula, etc.  10. Damage to peripheral nerves, such as paclitaxel and vincristine. After chemotherapy the patient feels woodiness and numbness in the hands and feet. The symptoms can be relieved by vitamin supplementation .  11. After chemotherapy, the ovarian function may be affected, which may lead to early menopause.  In general, the reaction to chemotherapy for breast cancer is an issue worthy of deep consideration. Therefore, when formulating treatment plans, especially for some elderly patients, we have to weigh the benefits and disadvantages of chemotherapy to decide whether to do or not to do chemotherapy. For questions related to chemotherapy, it is important to communicate fully with our professional doctors to get answers, and eventually we will cooperate together to finish chemotherapy for breast cancer.