RESEARCH PAPER

IN ONCOLOGY

Submitted by:

Hariet Anne Leus

Submitted to:

Dr. Eduardo De Vera

 COMPLICATIONS OF CANCER PATIENT

NAUSEA AND VOMITTING

Medulla of the brain stem contains chemoreceptors trigger zone (CTZ). Chemotherapy toxins
target the CTZ and stimulate it. When CTZ is stimulated it will then stimulate another area near
it which is called the vomiting center and the vomiting center induced Emetic reflex or the
vomiting reflex.

INFECTION

Chemotherapeutic agent can induced myelosuppression which can cause decrease production of
neutrophils (neutropenia) in which the person is more susceptible to febrile neutropenia. This is
why a person on chemotherapy gets high grade fever and it is most likely due to underlying
infection.

BLEEDING

Myelosuppression can cause thrombocytopenia (low platelet) this is why the person is more
prone to bleeding.

ANEMIA

Myelosuppression can cause anemia (low red blood cell or hemoglobin on the blood). The
person experienced lethargy, feeling tired, weakness, shortness of breath, and a poor ability to
exercise.

NEUTROPENIC ENTEROCOLITIS
Due to immune system suppression, neutropenic enterocolitis (typhlitis) is a "life-threatening
gastrointestinal complication of chemotherapy." Typhlitis is an intestinal infection which may
manifest itself through symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, a distended
abdomen, fever, chills, or abdominal pain and tenderness.
Typhlitis is a medical emergency. It has a very poor prognosis and is often fatal unless promptly
recognized and aggressively treated. Successful treatment hinges on early diagnosis provided by
a high index of suspicion and the use of CT scanning, non-operative treatment for uncomplicated
cases, and sometimes elective right hemicolectomy to prevent recurrence.

FATIGUE
Fatigue may be a consequence of the cancer or its treatment, and can last for months to years
after treatment. One physiological cause of fatigue is anemia, which can be caused by
chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy, primary and metastatic disease or nutritional depletion.
Aerobic exercise has been found to be beneficial in reducing fatigue in people with solid tumors.
HAIR LOSS (ALOPECIA)

Hair loss (alopecia) can be caused by chemotherapy that kills rapidly dividing cells; other
medications may cause hair to thin. These are most often temporary effects: hair usually starts to
regrow a few weeks after the last treatment, but sometimes with a change in color, texture,
thickness or style. Sometimes hair has a tendency to curl after regrowth, resulting in "chemo
curls." Severe hair loss occurs most often with drugs. Permanent thinning or hair loss can result
from some standard chemotherapy regimens. Chemotherapy induced hair loss occurs by a non-
androgenic mechanism, and can manifest as alopecia totalis, telogen effluvium, or less
often alopecia areata. It is usually associated with systemic treatment due to the high mitotic rate
of hair follicles, and more reversible than androgenic hair loss, although permanent cases can
occur. Chemotherapy induces hair loss in women more often than men.