What is the primary adverse effect associated with chemotherapy?

The primary adverse effect associated with chemotherapy is myelosuppression leading to increased risk of infection. Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly dividing cells, which includes cancer cells but also affects other rapidly dividing cells in the body, particularly in the bone marrow. This suppression of bone marrow function results in decreased production of blood cells, including white blood cells (WBCs) that are crucial for the immune response.

As WBC counts drop, the body’s ability to fight infections diminishes, making patients more susceptible to infections during chemotherapy treatment. This risk of infection is a critical concern and requires careful monitoring and management throughout the chemotherapy regimen. Other adverse effects may occur, but myelosuppression and its consequences are a primary focus for healthcare providers when treating patients undergoing chemotherapy.

In contrast, while weight gain, renal failure, and skin rash can occur in some patients receiving chemotherapy, they are not as universally recognized or as critical to monitor as the risk of infection due to myelosuppression.