What is a common side effect of chemotherapy?

Nausea and vomiting are among the most common side effects experienced by patients undergoing chemotherapy. This reaction is often a result of the way chemotherapy drugs target rapidly dividing cells, which include not only cancer cells but also other normal cells in the body, such as those in the lining of the gastrointestinal tract.

Chemotherapy agents can stimulate the vomiting center in the brain or lead to the release of neurotransmitters that trigger nausea. As a result, many patients receive anti-emetic medications before or after their chemotherapy sessions to help manage these symptoms. Understanding the prevalence of nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients is crucial for providing comprehensive care and improving the overall quality of life during treatment.

The other choices, while they may pertain to various health conditions or treatments, do not accurately represent common side effects associated specifically with chemotherapy. For example, increased hair growth is not a typical side effect, as most chemotherapy regimens lead to hair loss rather than growth. Weight gain may occur in some patients due to lifestyle changes or hormonal imbalances but is not a direct consequence of chemotherapy itself. Enhanced immune function is not a characteristic of chemotherapy, which often suppresses the immune system, making patients more susceptible to infections.