FAQ's

Q. What are the after-effects of cancer treatment?

Long-term effects develop during treatment, are lingering or chronic (meaning they do not go away) and continue for years after treatments are over. Many long-term effects, such as anemia and anxiety, tend to resolve over time. Some long-term effects can be permanent, including limb loss, sexual problems and lymphedema (swelling in a limb due to blockage of the lymph system).

Late effects are delayed and can surface months to years after treatment ends. Usually, the earlier these problems are identified, the easier they are to treat. Some late effects are long-lasting or permanent, including certain types of heart disease or lung disease, osteoporosis (loss of bone density), depression and second cancers. After-effects of cancer and its treatment can be classified broadly into three categories:

• Physical — such as heart or lung problems
• Emotional — such as worry, fear or depression
• Practical — such as problems with work or health insurance

After-effects can range from very mild to very serious and vary from one survivor to the next. Doctors cannot always predict which after-effects will occur, or how serious or long-lasting they will be. You may not suffer any significant after-effects at all.

If after-effects do occur, this does not mean that your health-care team gave you the wrong treatment. After-effects are sometimes an unavoidable consequence of curing cancer. However, treatment can help you manage symptoms and live a full and happy life.