DHAP takes four days to complete. After this time, the patient is discharged from hospital. Chemotherapy works best on cells that grow and divide quickly. Cancer cells, and the cells in the bone marrow, digestive tract, reproductive system and hair follicles also grow quickly. Because chemotherapy is unable to recognise healthy cells from cancer cells, it can affect these parts of the body.
Chemotherapy can also affect the liver, kidneys, nervous system, heart and lungs.
DHAP chemotherapy can cause side effects to some of these body systems. It is important that patients are aware of this. Some side effects are very rare, whilst others are more common. Side effects may affect patients several days after chemotherapy has been given when they are at home. Below is a list of side effects that patients may experience, along with advice to help them cope with treatment.