Side effects of chemotherapy and combined chemohormonal therapy in women with early-stage breast cancer

J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2001:(30):135-42. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.jncimonographs.a003451.

Abstract

The decision to receive chemotherapy or chemohormonal therapy involves careful consideration of both the potential benefits and possible risks of therapy. There are substantial short- and long-term side effects from chemotherapy. By convention, short-term side effects include those toxic effects encountered during chemotherapy, while long-term side effects include later complications of treatment arising after the conclusion of adjuvant chemotherapy. These side effects vary, depending on the specific agents used in the adjuvant regimen as well as on the dose used and the duration of treatment. There is also considerable variability in side effect profile across individuals. This review will focus on the short- and long-term toxicity seen with the most commonly used adjuvant chemotherapy and chemohormonal therapy regimens.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / chemically induced
  • Cognition Disorders / chemically induced
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / chemically induced
  • Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / chemically induced
  • Weight Gain

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal