Because chemotherapyterm is such a harsh treatment on the body, the body reacts to these poisonous chemicals and tries to rid the body of them. One way the body responds is through a vomiting action preceded by a nausea feeling. Because the continuation of treatment is critical in chemotherapy and since nausea and vomiting is a common side effect, antiemetics are used to prevent or lessen the nausea and vomiting mechanisms. Antiemetics are compounds that prevent emesis, otherwise known as vomiting. Antiemetics function through various molecular pathways and are classified into categories by their target. A key aspect to understanding the function of antiemetics is the structure of the nervous system signaling pathway as it relates to nausea and vomiting.

    A potential side effect of cancer patients treated with chemotherapyterm is a decrease of white blood cells. Cytotoxic chemotherapeutic agents work by destroying fast-proliferative cells. Unfortunately chemotherapy does not distinguish between normal and cancerous cells, thus normal fast-growing cells could also be destroyed. One group of cells that are affected by chemotherapy is white blood cells. White blood cells are needed by the immune system to fight infections, and the reduction in white blood cells may result in febrile neutropenia, a fever caused by reduced white blood cell count. Breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy are often also treated with granulocyte-monocyte colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

    Mucositisterm from chemotherapyterm can be prevented with cryotherapyterm or chlohexadine rinses. Mucositis is an inflammation (and dying) of the cells that line the mouth, throat, and the rest of the digestive tract. It is a common side effect seen in chemotherapy and radiation treatment but seems to be under reported in statistics. Its symptoms can include ulcers and raw sores in the mouth as well as loss of taste and difficulty eating. A supportive care abstract from the Annals of Oncology recently reported findings at the 31st Congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) (abstract 988 O).