Because cancer treatment may damage healthy cells and tissues, unwanted side effects are common. These side effects depend on many factors, including 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. The health care team will explain possible side effects and how they will 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 called "National Cancer Institute Information Resources ⁴" and "National Cancer Institute Booklets ⁵" for other sources of information about side effects.