When to Call Your Doctor

 


Developing any of the following symptoms during your chemotherapy treatment may indicate a serious condition. If you experience any of the following throughout your cancer treatment, please inform your doctor.

  • Fever higher than 100.5° F
  • Shaking chills
  • Vomiting that continues 48 hours after treatment
  • Unusual bleeding or bruising
  • Shortness of breath/chest pain
  • Severe constipation or diarrhea
  • Painful or frequent urination
  • Blood in the urine or stool
  • Soreness, redness, swelling, pus, or drainage at your catheter or port site or vein in which treatment was given
  • Irregular or rapid heart beat
  • Swelling in feet or lower legs
  • Increasing pain or pain in a new place
  • Pain that is not relieved by your pain medication
  • Headache that is not relieved by Tylenol (acetaminophen)
  • Inability to eat and continued weight loss
  • Mouth sores
  • Nasal congestion or drainage that is yellow or green, a productive cough with yellow or green drainage or coughing up blood
  • One or more of the following symptoms in conjunction with repetitive diarrhea or vomiting (signs of dehydration):
    ---Dry, cracked lips
    ---Dry, sticky tongue
    ---Increased thirst
    ---Decreased urination
    ---Increased weakness
    ---Increased pulse rate
  • Dizziness/lightheadedness (especially when rising to a standing position)
This content was last reviewed August 15, 2010 by Dr. Reshma L. Mahtani.
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