What to Expect After Chemotherapy for Prostate Cancer

The side effects of chemotherapy are different for everyone. They depend on these things:

• The type of drug you're taking

• How often you take it

• How long your treatment lasts

Your medical oncologist and chemotherapy nurse will talk with you about possible side effects with your treatment. You should talk with your health care team about which ones are most likely to happen for you. Here are some typical side effects for the most commonly used chemotherapy drugs for prostate cancer, listed in alphabetical order:

• Allergic reactions while getting chemotherapy 

• Blood clots

• Breast growth or sore breasts

• Bruising or bleeding

• Diarrhea 

• Dry skin

• Fatigue

• Fluid retention

• Hair loss

• Heart side effects (rarely)

• Infections

• Lowering of your white cells, red cells, or platelets

• Mouth sores

• Nausea and vomiting

• Thick and discolored nails

• Tingling or numbness in hands and feet

• Upset stomach and loss of appetite

• Weight gain

These side effects will usually go away during rest periods between treatments and after your treatment ends. Ask your doctor for ways to ease these side effects. For instance, there are drugs that ease nausea and vomiting.