[Adverse effects in cancer chemotherapy]

The toxicity of cancer treatment affects adversely the QOL of patients and limits the intensity of treatment that can be administered. In this article, characteristics of these each adverse reactions are described. In the last decade, several means have been developed that offer possible prevention and reduction from the adverse effects of a range of cancer treatment. Furthermore, recently, practice guidelines are systematically developed to assist the practitioner and patients decision about appropriate management for specific clinical circumstances. However, it is important to realize that these guidelines cannot always account for individual variation among patients. 'Close clinical monitoring, early recognition of toxicities and toxicity syndromes, aggressive therapeutic interventions, and withholding therapy in the presence of severe treatment related toxicities' is always required.