Chemotherapy may cause some side effects. Each child may have different symptoms at different stages of the treatment. Some side effects may happen in the first few days and some side effects may show up months or years after treatment.

Our team is here to help your child through any side effects they may feel during or after treatment. You can always reach out to our team if your child is feeling anything unusual.

Chemotherapy Hair Loss

Alopecia, or hair loss, is a very common side effect of most forms of chemotherapy. Hair falls out from the head, but in some cases, also eyebrows, eyelashes, facial and pubic hair. It is temporary.

Hair loss usually occurs one to three weeks into chemotherapy. Once the hair begins to fall out, it will continue to fall out in large clumps. The child may be bald within a few days.

We offer support, hats, wigs and head coverings. Kids may feel sad or worried, and we help them cope.

Hair usually begins to grow again about six weeks after treatment ends. The hair color or texture may look different when it returns.

Mouth Sores and Digestive Issues

Chemotherapy can damage the cells that line the digestive tract, a condition called mucositis. It can lead to painful sores in the mouth and throat, as well as digestive issues.

It can be a very troublesome and painful side effect of chemotherapy. Symptoms may appear a week or more after completing chemotherapy.

Mucositis symptoms include:

• Redness and swelling of the gums
• Ulcers (open sores) in the mouth and throat
• Diarrhea
• Stomach or intestinal cramps
• Abdominal tenderness
• Rectal sores or redness

Knowing that mucositis may be coming can help manage some of its symptoms.

• Have your child drink plenty of fluids
• Inspect your child's mouth for sores
• Clean their mouth after each meal and before bedtime
• Brush their teeth gently with a soft toothbrush
• Use the prescribed special mouthwash for your child. Avoid mouthwashes with alcohol
• Avoid foods that are too hot or too cold
• Do not drink alcohol or smoke tobacco
• Ask your care team about a numbing solution for the mouth or other pain relief options
• Offer your child soft foods that don't irritate their sores
• If your child has digestive issues, make sure to change diapers and clean their skin frequently
• Medicines, called antiemetics, can help with nausea

Bone Marrow Suppression

Chemotherapy can lower the number of blood cells that your child's bone marrow makes. Common terms that you may hear that refer to blood cell reduction include the following:

• Anemia: A drop in red blood cells can lead to fatigue.
• Neutropenia: Drop in a specific type of white blood cell called a neutrophil. This is our body's main defender against bacteria. It can lead to infections.
• Thrombocytopenia: A drop in platelet counts can cause bleeding and bruising.
• Pancytopenia: Decrease in red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

While your child is getting chemotherapy, they'll have regular blood cell level checks. Ask your child's care team what levels are ok for your child. We may give medicines and transfusions or ask your child to avoid crowds or activities that may cause bleeding.

Nationally recognized: U.S. News & World Report regularly names us as one of the nation's best pediatric centers for cancer and blood disorders. We have the resources and expertise to provide the best possible chemotherapy care.

Dedicated to children: We make treatment less scary. Our staff uses kid-friendly language and tools to help your child feel calm and strong. Our cancer teams care for children every day. They have special training and extensive experience and are uniquely qualified to treat kids of all ages.

Focused on the family: We provide family-centered care. We know that a child's health affects the whole family. We partner with your family, talking openly and often about your child's care and your personal beliefs. Our goal is to support you by building on your strengths.

Fertility Navigation Program: Kids on certain types of chemotherapy may need to consider their future family plans. Our Fertility Navigation Program helps you think through and discuss your options for having kids in the future.

Clinical trials: We are a member of the Children's Oncology Group, the world's largest pediatric cancer research organization and many other smaller clinical trial groups. Through these groups, as well as through trials developed at Children's Wisconsin, we take part in clinical trials and study new treatments, including chemotherapies, cellular therapies and immunotherapies.

Complementary and integrative medicine: We have a licensed Naturopathic Doctor available to our patients and families. We also offer creative arts therapies, acupressure, aromatherapy and massage. This type of care can help ease the side effects and pain of cancer and cancer care.

Survivorship support: Young adults who are currently receiving or have received cancer treatment can get exceptional support through our young adult oncology group. The group meets monthly to help young adults (18-39) with cancer or recovering from it to share experiences and plan activities. 

Next Steps Aftercare Programs: After treatment, you'll enter the Bridge to Next Steps program. At least two years after your child completes treatment, they can enter the Next Steps Clinic. This long-term follow-up program cares for cancer survivors. Our care team monitors for recurrence, manages late effects and promotes overall well-being.