Managing blood cancer treatment side effects in children and teens

Work closely with your child’s doctor and cancer care team to prepare them for what to expect and how to cope with side effects. For some patients, side effects may last well after treatment is completed or may be permanent. 

 For most patients, side effects are temporary and go away when the body adjusts to therapy or once treatment ends. On the other hand, some patients suffer symptoms that may require hospitalization until they subside. 

Reactions to treatment vary from patient to patient. Reactions also vary, depending on: 

• The treatment and/or types of drugs used
• Drug or radiation dose amounts
• The therapy's length
• Whether the patient has other health conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease 

Unfortunately, drugs that damage or destroy cancer cells also affect normal cells and may cause certain side effects. However, side effects are not always drug-specific and may be related to something other than medication. While unexpected side effects can occur, most can be predicted because certain drugs are more likely than others to affect specific types of body tissues, such as those that make up the nervous system, kidneys, bladder, heart, and lungs. 

What side effects could my child experience from blood cancer treatment?