Some chemotherapy drugs and targeted cancer drugs can make your eyes very dry and sore. They might feel gritty, as though there is something in your eye. This is because the drugs cause a reaction on the inside of your eyelids. Or you may not be making enough tears.
Many cancer treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, steroids and immunotherapies, are known to cause eye-related side effects such as dryness, tearing, cataracts, sensitivity to light, infection or altered vision. It's even possible for eye color to change.
Eye changes from radiation therapy can be long-term
But sometimes radiation can damage the retina and optic nerve, leading to vision loss. These side effects can first appear up to 18 months after treatment and are often permanent, Al-Zubidi says.
Many patients experience eye issues during cancer treatment. Symptoms may include irritated or dry eyes, tearing, redness, pain, and blurred vision. First, we urge you to contact your oncologist, who should always be notified about any physical changes you may experience during your cancer treatment.
Chemotherapy eye drops (topical chemotherapy)
Doctors may treat some cancers on the surface of the eye (conjunctiva), such as melanoma and squamous cell cancer, with chemotherapy eye drops. This is called topical chemotherapy.
It may take 5 to 7 days for symptoms to resolve. Bacterial conjunctivitis may require antibiotic eye drops to treat your condition. Allergic conjunctivitis will resolve when the allergic substance causing eye problems (false eyelashes, contact lenses, makeup) is removed.
Edema, a condition in which fluid builds up in your body's tissues, may be caused by some types of chemotherapy, certain cancers, and conditions not related to cancer.
Does chemobrain ever go away? For most patients, chemobrain improves within 9-12 months after completing chemotherapy, but many people still have symptoms at the six-month mark. A smaller fraction of people (approximately 10-20%) may have long-term effects.
Most of the time, chemo brain is a short-term issue, but some people may have the symptoms for months after they've finished treatment. Healthcare providers can't cure chemotherapy brain fog, but they can recommend medications or therapy and activities that may help lift the fog of chemo brain.
The most common sources of ocular metastasis are breast cancer (primarily in women) followed by lung cancer (more commonly in men). However, other less common sources include gastrointestinal, prostate, lymphoid, leukemia, thyroid, kidney and skin (primarily melanoma).
Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may cause changes in the lining of the mouth and the salivary glands, which make saliva. This can upset the healthy balance of bacteria. These changes may lead to mouth sores, infections, and tooth decay.
Cancer and its treatment can sometimes change the way you look. These changes might be visible to other people or they might be changes only you can see. Changes to how you look can affect you in different ways.
Scientists think that cancer releases chemicals into the blood. The chemicals contribute to the loss of fat and muscle. Continuous weight loss can be worrying and a constant reminder of your illness. It can affect your quality of life and how you feel about yourself.
Chemotherapy can cause fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, bowel issues such as constipation or diarrhoea, hair loss, mouth sores, skin and nail problems. You may have trouble concentrating or remembering things. There can also be nerve and muscle effects and hearing changes. You will be at increased risk of infections.
Around the third day following a chemotherapy treatment, some people may experience flu-like symptoms such as muscle aches and pains. If you experience these aches, you can take over-the-counter medications such as Tylenol or Advil. If necessary, contact your doctor for stronger medication.
A return to normalcy is typical, but it takes a while – usually six months or so. “All who have done chemo do finally get back to normal,” Patricia said. “Treatment for breast cancer can take a whole year, but six months after it ends, life comes back – incisions heal, hair grows back, chemo brain fog lifts.”
Doxorubicin is considered one of the strongest chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer ever invented. It can kill cancer cells at every point in their life cycle, and it's used to treat a wide variety of cancers, not just breast cancer. Doxorubicin is also known as “The Red Devil” because it is a clear bright red color.
Chemotherapy can be administered a number of ways but common ways include orally and intravenously. The chemotherapy itself stays in the body within 2 -3 days of treatment but there are short-term and long-term side effects that patients may experience.
Your energy levels should return to normal within 6 months to a year after the end of chemotherapy. It can take even longer if you have intensive treatment, such as bone marrow or stem cell transplant.
The reasons a patient may gain weight while receiving chemotherapy include: Chemotherapy may cause swelling (edema), leading the body to retain extra fluid. This is also known as fluid retention or lymphedema. You may feel hungrier while undergoing chemotherapy, or you may feel nauseous and then relief when you eat.
Dehydration is a common side effect of cancer treatment. Chemotherapy and radiation treatment can cause dehydration due to other side effects, like fevers, vomiting, diarrhea or excessive urination. These treatments can increase the need for IV hydration due to increased fluid needs.
Fluid retention is a build-up of fluid caused by the side effects of chemotherapy, hormone changes caused by treatment, or your cancer. It can cause your face, hands, feet, or stomach to feel swollen and puffy.