Page 120 - LIVESTRONG Digital Guidebook
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Late Effects
of CancerTreatment
The day that cancer treatment ends, a new life chapter begins. Some survivors may leave cancer behind
and continue life with few or no health problems. Others might have ongoing physical challenges. Some
of these might be due to aftereffects or the late effects of cancer treatment.
“A survivor is someone who takes what they have been dealt
and tries to make the most out of it.” —SUSAN C.
Not all cancer survivors will experience late effects. If Surgery
you do, they may appear soon after treatment or up to The aftereffects of surgery depend on the
years after treatment ends. Let your loved ones know area of the body (or site) where the surgery is
that this can happen. In most cases, the earlier these performed. Risks have been lessened by new
late effects are identified, the easier they are to treat. and improved surgical methods but late effects
may still occur.
Ask your health care team about what late A tumor may affect healthy tissue as it
effects could occur. This will help you and those close grows if it damages or kills normal cells. Dam-
to you know what to watch for. For example, fatigue is age can also occur if the healthy tissue around a
a common side effect. It may have a number of causes, tumor is removed during surgery. This might be
such as pain, stress, depression or anemia. Your pro- done to make certain that all of the cancer cells
vider can help you get the right treatment. are removed and thus may be necessary for
appropriate cancer treatment.
Late effects vary from one cancer survivor to Aftereffects of surgery could include:
the next. They can range from very mild to serious.
Medical experts cannot always predict if or when • Scarring at the surgical site
they will occur. Some effects might improve or go • Problems fighting infection
away with time such as anemia. Others might be • Lymphedema or swelling of arms or legs
permanent such as certain types of nerve dam- • Nutritional problems
age. If late effects of treatment do occur, it does • Cognitive problems such as trouble
not mean that your health care team did anything focusing or memory loss
wrong. In most cases, the effects could not have • Changes in sexual function or fertility
been avoided. • Pain that may be chronic or long term
• Difficulty with speech or swallowing
Be sure to report any signs or symptoms to
your health care team right away. Early medical Physical changes can also bring emotional
attention can often reduce problems that can come aftereffects. This can happen even if others
from late effects. cannot see the changes. For example, a survivor
could feel self-conscious about a scar, even if it
OVERVIEW OF POSSIBLE AFTEREFFECTS is hidden by clothing. There may be concerns
about body image.
The following is a brief overview of the common
types of cancer treatment and the late effects that
can occur:
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