Childhood Leukemia Chemotherapy Side Effects

These effects are sometimes referred to as chemobrain or brain fog.

Childhood leukemia chemotherapy side effects.

Dr van der plas specializes in looking at the neurocognitive effects of childhood leukemia treatment. These side effects may occur within days after beginning chemotherapy treatment. A child s whole body is growing. Late effects of treatments for childhood leukemia.

Sometimes weeks or months later. Dealing with side effects can be very difficult. Most people associate cancer treatment with well known side effects like nausea and hair loss. These side effects can include.

Low blood cell counts sore mouth and throat. These short term side effects usually go away over time after treatment is over. Long term and late effects can include. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause problems with mental functions such as concentration memory and the ability to multitask to keep track of and do different tasks at the same time.

Children treated for brain tumors or acute lymphoblastic leukemia all are more likely to be affected due to the therapies used to treat these cancers. Late effects on the other hand may happen many years later. Side effects of chemotherapy will depend mainly on the type of drug the dose how it s given and your child s overall health. Hair loss mouth sores loss of appetite diarrhea nausea and vomiting.

It is normal to feel frustrated sad angry embarrassed or self conscious. Chemotherapy damage to quickly dividing cells can cause side effects such as low blood cell counts nausea diarrhea or hair loss during treatment. Many of these stop when treatment stops. However cognitive problems have been.

In some cases however side effects follow a different. However chemotherapy side effects typically cause fear and apprehension. However your medical team will be with you always and if your side effects are serious they will lower your dose and do anything that helps you feel better. Some side effects can be hard to discuss.

These problems are known as cognitive late effects. Coping with side effects. Patients and families often feel overwhelmed physically and emotionally. Some common side effects of chemotherapy drugs used for childhood leukemia are.