Oncologist-approved cancer information from the American Society of Clinical Oncology

Managing Side Effects

Cancer and cancer treatment often cause a variety of side effects. Talk with your doctor about which side effects are likely based on your specific treatment plan. An important part of cancer care is relieving side effects, called symptom management, palliative care, or supportive care. It is important to talk with your health care team about the specific side effects you experience and the best ways to manage and treat them.

Cancer.Net En Español: Información sobre cómo controlar los posibles efectos secundarios del cáncer y del tratamiento contra el cáncer.

Anemia
Appetite Loss
Bleeding Problems
Blocked Intestine or Gastrointestinal Obstruction
Clotting Problems
Cognitive Problems
Constipation
Diarrhea
Difficulty Chewing
Difficulty Swallowing or Dysphagia
Dry Mouth or Xerostomia
Edema or Fluid Retention
Fatigue - ASCO curriculum
Fluid Around the Lungs or Malignant Pleural Effusion
Fluid in the Abdomen or Ascites
Fluid in the Arms or Legs, or Lymphedema
Hair Loss or Alopecia
Hand-Foot Syndrome or Palmar-Plantar Erythrodysesthesia
Headaches
Hormone Deprivation Symptoms: Men
Hypercalcemia
Infection
Menopausal Symptoms: Women
Mental Confusion or Delirium
Mouth Sores or Mucositis - ASCO curriculum
Nausea and Vomiting
Nervous System Side Effects
Neutropenia
Pain
Sexual Problems
Shortness of Breath or Dyspnea
Skin Conditions
Skin Reactions to Targeted Therapies
Sleeping Problems: Hypersomnia or Somnolence Syndrome or Nightmares
Sleeping Problems: Insomnia
Superior Vena Cava Syndrome
Taste Changes
Thrombocytopenia
Weight Gain
Weight Loss


Feedback Form