Guide To Chemotherapy Side Effects

Neuropathy

An individual being treated for cancer with chemotherapy may experience neuropathy. Chemotherapy drugs cause widespread death of cancerous cells and healthy cells in the process of cell division. When large amounts of cells in the body die, their contents are leaked into the tissues around them. These contents are toxic to the other cells and compound the toxicity already present due to the potent substances that make up chemotherapy drugs. The toxic substances in the individual's blood that are the result of chemotherapy treatments can cause damage to the nerve cells. When nerves become damaged, they are not able to conduct electrical impulses the way they should. This malfunction causes a patient to experience symptoms of neuropathy, which include muscle weakness, lack of coordination, sensitivity to touch, prickling or tingling sensations, and numbness.

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