Doxorubicin causes darkening of fingers and toes. Bleomycin results in weird pigmentation of the trunk. Thiotepa leads to whitening of the eyelids, nail damage, brittleness, loosening and even loss of nail plates. Most anti-cancer drugs also cause second cancers, especially of the GI tract, ovaries, and lungs. These are nearly impossible to treat.
Tumors continue to develop for years.
In one study, 17.6 percent of survivors developed unrelated cancer up to 15 years later. Immune system damage is almost universal. Resulting infections can be treated with antibiotics, but these can bring their own set of side effects. Heart damage can occur weeks, months or years after treatment, signalled by rapid heart beat, shortness of breath, distended neck veins, swollen ankles, enlarged liver and heart. Over 40 percent of patients experience mouth ulcers, pain and bleeding, which can make eating a torture.