Incidence and severity of self-reported chemotherapy side-effects in patients with hematolymphoid malignancies: A cross-sectional study

Background: Chemotherapy is an indispensable part of the treatment regimen for most cancer types. However, it is difficult to predict the chemotherapy-related side effects in patients with cancer. Objectives: In this study, we aimed to assess the incidence and severity of self-reported chemotherapy-related side effects in patients with cancer. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study, with a univariate descriptive design was conducted on patients with blood cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. Patients who were admitted to the hemato-oncology department of our tertiary care center in northern India to receive the second cycle of chemotherapy were interviewed. Patients were interviewed regarding the symptoms they experienced after the first cycle of chemotherapy using the chemotherapy symptom assessment scale. The incidence of the chemotherapy side-effects experienced by the patients after the first cycle of chemotherapy was assessed, and the most severe and common symptoms that led to botheration in the patients receiving chemotherapy were identified. Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the study. Majority of the patients were men and aged between 41 and 50 years, with a diagnosis of lymphoma and an Eastern Cooperative Oncology group performance status of 1. The five most common severe symptoms reported by the patients after receiving the first cycle of chemotherapy were nausea, vomiting, constipation, pain, and shortness of breath. The three symptoms that led to maximum botheration in the patients after the first cycle of chemotherapy were nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The five symptoms that caused the least botheration in the patients were constipation, pain, change in temperature, problems with the skin, and problems with the mouth. Conclusion: The most common symptom experienced by the patients is nausea (93%), which is also the most commonly experienced severe symptom (80%). Identifying these symptoms and their severity can help in planning symptom management more comprehensively. Moreover, planned health education for patients with cancer can help us provide better evidence-based quality care to those receiving chemotherapy.