Long term disabling effects of chemotherapy treatment
Peripheral neuropathy (neuritis, plexopathy) - is a toxic effect on nerves, which prevents nerves from working properly.
- Motor nerves – these control movement of muscles, damage may lead to clumsiness or in severe cases paralysis of muscles supplied by the affected nerves. Some recovery may occur once treatment is stopped but the changes are usually slow to improve or permanent.
- Sensory nerves – these nerves enable the sensation of touch, damage to them results in numb areas or areas of pins and needles. In some cases pain fibres are affected and this can lead to pain syndromes.
Abnormal sensations can make simple activities like making a cup of tea, fastening a button or walking difficult, impossible or painful and distressing.
- Breathlessness - has many causes including lung problems and heart failure, which may have been caused by the chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Lung damage or heart problems caused by certain drugs may be irreversible or progressive.
- Leukaemia - is more common in children who have had chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment.
- Infertility – chemotherapy and radiotherapy can cause infertility.
These side effects are rare.
