Childhood Leukemia Chemotherapy Side Effects

These problems are known as cognitive late effects.

Childhood leukemia chemotherapy side effects.

These side effects can include. Chemotherapy damage to quickly dividing cells can cause side effects such as low blood cell counts nausea diarrhea or hair loss during treatment. It is normal to feel frustrated sad angry embarrassed or self conscious. She published a research paper in september last year showing that childhood all survivors are more likely to have difficulties with memory and inhibition or voluntary restraint of motor actions than children who have not had leukemia.

Dealing with side effects can be very difficult. However chemotherapy side effects typically cause fear and apprehension. However cognitive problems have been. In some cases however side effects follow a different.

Sometimes weeks or months later. Side effects of chemotherapy will depend mainly on the type of drug the dose how it s given and your child s overall health. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause problems with mental functions such as concentration memory and the ability to multitask to keep track of and do different tasks at the same time. Late effects of treatments for childhood leukemia.

A child s whole body is growing. Many of these stop when treatment stops. Long term and late effects can include. These effects are sometimes referred to as chemobrain or brain fog.

Children treated for brain tumors or acute lymphoblastic leukemia all are more likely to be affected due to the therapies used to treat these cancers. These short term side effects usually go away over time after treatment is over. Coping with side effects. Dr van der plas specializes in looking at the neurocognitive effects of childhood leukemia treatment.

Patients and families often feel overwhelmed physically and emotionally. These side effects may occur within days after beginning chemotherapy treatment. Some side effects can be hard to discuss. Most people associate cancer treatment with well known side effects like nausea and hair loss.

These problems may become noticeable months or even years after treatment and may change over time. Some common side effects of chemotherapy drugs used for childhood leukemia are. Low blood cell counts sore mouth and throat. Learning problems can develop in children treated with high dose chemotherapy or intrathecal chemotherapy with methotrexate or.