Common side effects of Chemotherapy

Question 1

Alopecia

Answer 1

• rapidly dividing cells are targets of chemo
• hair follicles
• paclitaxel and doxorubicin
• scalp more than eyebrows, lashes and body hair

Question 2

Mucositis

Answer 2

• Damage to mucous membranes
• all chemotherapies can cause
• Prevention:
  
  • good dental, oral hygiene
  • rinses with salt water, soda

Question 3

Nails

Answer 3

• Taxanes
• discolouration, bleeding, oncholysis
• detachment of nail from bed

Question 4

Hand-foot mouth syndrome

Answer 4

• common
• painful erythema of palsm, soles, fingers
• edema
• desquamation
• dose limiting side effect
• no clear treatment or prevention

Question 5

Graft vs host disease

Answer 5

• immunocompetent T cells from graft react with immunocompromised host cells
• skin, GO tract, liver, resp tract, MSK, heme
• lichenoid reaction to skin
• thickened skin, tight, fragile