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THERE IS NO ANTI-CANCER AGENT THAT HAS NO SIDE EFFECT

As is the case with radiotherapy, chemotherapy destroys normal cells along with cancer cells, thus producing significant side effects. The worst side effect of chemotherapy is the damage it inflicts upon blood forming organs such as bone marrow. this results in anemia and decreased white blood cell levels which, upon reaching a certain level, weakens the individual’s resistance to pathogens, thus rendering the patient susceptible to infection and disease.

The inhibition of white blood cell formation varies according to the type of anti-cancer agent used. White blood cell count levels usually rise after cessation of treatment, thus "rest periods" are normally set for chemotherapy regimens depending on the kind of agent used. These "drug holidays" are also necessary for the patient to recover from the ill effects of the medication on the digestive system, among which are nausea, vomiting, anorexia, stomatitis, diarrhea, and constipation. These may seriously disrupt the amount of water the patient can drink and the food the patient can eat.

Other side effects that may also occur apart from the commonly known falling hair and stunted fingernail growth are complicated pneumonia, jaundice, four-limb palsy, and impaired spermatogenesis. Such symptoms may be resolved by merely stopping the chemotherapy. Thus almost all recognized anti-cancer agents currently being used bring about side effects, and this is the great limitation of chemotherapy.

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