Cancer is a condition dreaded by people all over the world. While it can be treated successfully, the process is long and painful in many ways. Common cancer treatments include chemotherapy, radiation, hormone therapy, and surgery. These treatments can have significant side effects during the procedure and after. When one decides to undergo the treatment, they need to be mentally and physically prepared to risk the related side effects.

These are the common side effects that one might experience during or after common cancer treatments:

1. Neutropenia
It is a medical condition in which the number of white blood cells reduces. WBCs are the main components of the defense mechanism in the body. This condition often takes place after chemotherapy, which is the most common method of treating cancer. Chemotherapy works by killing all the fast-growing cells in the body, which include cancer cells as well as healthy cells. While this treatment is on, you might have a reduced number of white blood cells in the body, increasing the chances of an infection. Thus, a cancer patient is likely to suffer neutropenia.

2. Lymphedema
Many times during radiation or cancer surgery, the lymph nodes get damaged or are removed, thus; the lymph fluid might not be able to drain out properly. This could cause a fluid build-up under the skin and cause some parts of the body to swell up. This condition is termed as lymphedema.

3. Hair loss
This is a common side effect of most cancer treatments and is called alopecia. The drugs used in chemotherapy are too strong and hence, drain all the nutrients from the body, which leads to hair loss amongst other things. However, this is a temporary problem, and usually, one regains their hair after the treatment is stopped.

4. Nausea and vomiting
Common cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation cause an adverse reaction to the medications used, which are very strong and tend to lead to nausea. However, there are medicines to control nausea and make one feel better.

5. Lung problems
Chemotherapy administered to the chest might damage the lungs and cause a change in the functioning of the lungs, thickening of the lining of the lungs, inflammation of the lungs, and difficulty in breathing.

6. Hormone issues
Some of the common cancer treatments can affect the endocrine system, which includes the glands and other organs that produce eggs or sperm and hormones. It might also cause a woman to have menopausal symptoms. In men, they could have hot flashes, osteoporosis, infertility, and changes in sexual desire.

7. Bone, joint, and soft tissue issues
Common cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or steroids, can cause osteoporosis. This includes symptoms such as thinning of the bones and joint pain. There could be rheumatological issues as well.

8. Nerve problems
At times, common cancer treatments could lead to permanent nerve damage, including damage to the nerves in the spinal cord and outside the brain. It could also increase the risk of stroke.