Patients should be gentle with the treated area of skin. Lotions and creams should not be used without the doctor's advice. When the chest is treated, patients may have a dry, sore throat and may have trouble swallowing. Sometimes, they have shortness of breath or a dry cough. Radiation treatment to the lower abdomen may cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Some patients have tingling or numbness in their arms, legs, and lower back.
These side effects gradually disappear when treatment is over. The side effects of chemotherapy depend mainly on the drugs that are given. In general, anticancer drugs affect rapidly growing cells, such as blood cells that fight infection, cells that line the digestive tract, and cells in hair follicles. As a result, patients may have side effects such as lower resistance to infection, nausea, vomiting, or mouth sores. They may also have less energy and may lose their hair.