Side effects of chemotherapy
Side effects of chemotherapy
Printer-friendly versionWhat causes side-effects?
This fact sheet is part of a section about childhood cancer. To access the rest of the content in this section, see Childhood cancer.
Chemotherapy medicines cannot tell the difference between normal cells and cancer cells, and affect all cells that divide rapidly. The damage caused to normal cells may lead to side-effects.
What are the most common side-effects?
- low blood count, see:
- sore mouth (see Sore mouth due to chemotherapy)
- nausea and vomiting (see Nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy)
- loss of appetite (see Loss of appetite due to chemotherapy)
- constipation (see Constipation due to chemotherapy)
- sun sensitivity (see Sun sensitivity due to chemotherapy)
- hair loss (see Hair loss due to chemotherapy)
- fatigue (see Fatigue due to chemotherapy)
Where to go for more information and support
On this website
Childhood cancer: Where to go for more information and support
Acknowledgements
© Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 – 2013
Printed on 26 May 2013. Content is regularly updated so please refer to www.kidshealth.org.nz for the most up-to-date version
DISCLAIMERThis fact sheet is for educational use only.
Please consult your doctor or other health professional to make sure this information is right for your child.
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Fact sheets are subject to copyright. In the interests of information sharing they may be copied but acknowledgement must be given to PSNZ and Starship Foundation.
© The Paediatric Society of New Zealand and Starship Foundation 2005 - 2012