Side effects of chemotherapy

Some of the most common side effects of chemotherapy include low blood count, sore mouth, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, sun sensitivity, hair loss and fatigue.

This page is part of a whole section about childhood cancer.

What causes side effects?

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?

The following are some of the common side effects. Follow the links below for more information, along with information about treatment and management.

Find out where to go for more information and support on childhood cancer.

Low blood count

Other side effects

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)

Acknowledgements

All the pages in the childhood cancer section of this website have been written by health professionals who work in the field of paediatric oncology. They have been reviewed by the members of the National Child Cancer Network (NZ). Medical information is authorised by the National Child Cancer Network Clinical Leader.