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Medical Video: Breast Cancer Surgery (2009)
The treatment of breast cancer that patients undergo sometimes results in complications or unpleasant side effects. Side effects and complications that arise will be different, depending on the treatment and medication selected, as well as each individual's reaction to treatment.
Consult a doctor if you experience side effects or risk of complications.
Chemotherapy
The most common side effects of chemotherapy are disorders of the digestive tract and hair loss. The body's cells in some parts divide rapidly and are damaged along with the cancer cells that are killed. In addition, the side effects that patients may feel are nausea and vomiting. Therefore, doctors usually prescribe additional drugs to relieve it. Other side effects of chemotherapy are:
- Low blood cell count
- Fatigue
- Easy bruising
- Infection
The above side effects are common because cells from the bone marrow are also susceptible to damage due to chemotherapy drugs.
In rare cases, chemotherapy can cause heart damage or trigger other cancers such as leukemia. Generally, specific complications of long-term breast cancer treatment depend on gender. Chemotherapy in premenopausal women can damage the ovary so that hormone production stops. This can cause menopausal symptoms, such as vaginal dryness and heat attacks. The menstrual period can stop or become very irregular, so women will find it difficult to get pregnant. Women who experience these side effects may also face a higher risk of bone osteoporosis.
Most women no longer feel side effects after treatment is finished. Emotional pressure from medication is also proven to cause more intense side effects. For some patients, impaired concentration and short-term memory loss (known as "chemo-brain, chemo-fog, or chemo-memory, ") Becomes a challenge.
The psychological side effects of chemotherapy and / or breast cancer itself include:
- Depression
- Fear
- Sad feeling
- Feeling alienated
Some women have difficulty returning to "normal" life after treatment. The risk of relapse can be a frightening thing. Patients are encouraged to discuss therapy with a professional doctor. Also, keep in touch with family and close relatives during this treatment.
Radiation therapy
In rare cases, radiation therapy and hormone therapy can cause more serious side effects. Side effects from radiation therapy can appear slowly. Over time, general side effects that were initially considered mild can make the body become very weak. More serious complications include pneumonia, heart damage, or even secondary cancer.
Hormone therapy
Estrogen levels that decrease due to hormone therapy can also significantly increase the risk of osteoporosis. Your doctor will monitor your bone mineral density when you take drugs. Lower estrogen levels can also cause vaginal dryness and irritation.
Mastectomy
Mastectomy is a surgical procedure as part of treatment for breast cancer. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, complications of mastectomy that may occur include:
- Temporary breast swelling
- Breast pain
- The skin hardens due to scar tissue that forms at the location of the incision
- Wound infection or bleeding
- Swelling of the arm due to lymph node removal (lymphedema)
- Itching, tingling, pressure, and throbbing
Another potential complication of mastectomy is a psychological effect. Some patients may feel sad because they have lost one or both breasts, while others may experience depression or anxiety after surgery. This haunting feeling can be handled through therapy, the support environment, or other means. Some patients may choose to undergo breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy to restore physical appearance before undergoing surgery. Other patients may prefer to use breast prosthesis to achieve the same effect.
