Because treatment may damage healthy cells and tissues, unwanted side effects sometimes occur. These side effects depend on many factors, including the location of the tumor and the type and extent of the treatment. Side effects may not be the same for each person, and they may even change from one treatment session to the next. Before treatment starts, the health care team will explain possible side effects and suggest ways to help the patient manage them.

The NCI provides helpful booklets about cancer treatments and coping with side effects, such as Radiation Therapy and You ¹, Chemotherapy and You ², and Eating Hints for Cancer Patients ³. See the sections “National Cancer Institute Information Resources ⁴” and “National Cancer Institute Booklets ⁵” for other sources of information about side effects.