Side effects of chemotherapy for breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most effective solid tumors for chemotherapy. Therefore, chemotherapy, as one of the adjuvant treatments for breast cancer, plays an important role in the entire treatment process of breast cancer and is beneficial to improving the survival rate of patients. Early application of chemotherapy, especially combined chemotherapy, is of great significance in killing subclinical metastatic lesions and preventing recurrence and metastasis. However, while chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells, they inevitably damage normal cells and cause some side effects:

1. Local reaction

Local reactions after chemotherapy for breast cancer include phlebitis caused by chemotherapy drugs, local skin ulceration and necrosis caused by drug leakage, etc.

2. Systemic reactions

During chemotherapy, breast cancer patients may experience systemic reactions such as fever, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, systemic allergic reactions, and hair loss.

3. Digestive tract reactions

Breast cancer patients may experience gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea, vomiting, decreased appetite, abdominal distension, diarrhea, and constipation after chemotherapy.

4. Myelosuppression

The bone marrow suppression reaction is manifested as a decrease in white blood cell levels (<3×109/L), a decrease in platelets (<40×109/L), and even anemia (hemoglobin <50g/L).

5. Immunosuppressive reaction

The immunosuppressive reaction after breast cancer chemotherapy is manifested as a decrease in the body's immune function and susceptibility to infection, which is mainly related to the fact that most chemotherapy drugs inhibit the immune function.

6. Internal organ damage

Common visceral injuries include liver and kidney damage, heart failure, and lung fibrosis.