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Cancer

Understanding Chemotherapy Side Effects

Common side effects and the questions to ask your care team.

Ritika Sood
MSc Food and Nutrition
2 min read
Updated 13 Jun 2026
Medically reviewed by Dr. Ananya Kapoor, MBBS, MD Medicine, DM Cardiology

Why side effects happen

Chemotherapy targets fast dividing cells, which includes some healthy cells in hair, the digestive system and bone marrow.

Common experiences

Tiredness, nausea, mouth sores, hair thinning and a higher risk of infection are common. Many can be managed with support from your oncology team.

When to call your team

Contact your care team urgently for fever, chills, bleeding, severe vomiting or breathlessness during treatment.

Trusted sources

  • World Health Organization (who.int)
  • Indian Council of Medical Research (icmr.gov.in)
  • Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India (mohfw.gov.in)
This content is for educational purposes and does not replace professional medical advice. If you are worried about your health, talk to a doctor or call 112 in an emergency.
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