what are the side effects of chemotherapy and tamoxifen?
Dr. GS: Chemotherapy is generally well tolerated over 2 to 3 months. However, there is a chance for significant nausea and vomiting, and this may lead to dehydration that may necessitate intravenous fluids in a few patients.2 There is a chance of infections, like the pneumonia you had, in approximately 5% to 10% of patients.2 In patients who receive four treatments of doxorubicin-containing chemotherapy, there is a less than 1% chance of weakening of the heart muscle that can lead to heart failure.3 Hair loss occurs in virtually all patients, but the hair grows back a few weeks after the last dose of chemotherapy. Approximately 1% to 2% of patients will develop significant inflammation in the mouth and/or diarrhea.2 Although it is very unusual with just four doses of chemotherapy, there is a less than 1% risk of acute leukemia many years later.2 This type of leukemia is resistant to current chemotherapy regimens and is usually lethal. Last, fatigue is common, and there are suggestions
