Mesothelioma Cancer Treatment - Hair Loss and Fertility Problems

Perhaps one of the most visible symptoms that an individual has cancer is hair loss. Many patients are very aware and concerned about the loss of their hair. Hair thinning and hair loss is a common side effect of some chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy. This occurs because chemotherapy drugs damages rapid growing cells such as those of mesothelioma but also other normal rapid growing cells such as that of the hair. However the hair will grow some time after chemotherapy is terminated and it may not necessary be of the same texture or color as was prior to chemotherapy.
There are practical ways to deal with hair loss. One can buy a wig. There is a large choice of wigs and a wig can also be appropriately styled to match the patient's hair. So it is important to choose a wig before any treatment is started. Many people have negative feelings such as depression and embarrassment when their hair falls. But in the majority of the cases hair will be back some time after the treatment is terminated.
Chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy may cause infertility. Chemotherapy drugs and radiation therapy can damage the ovaries or lower the hormones produce by them and can also result in early menopause. Hence the woman may become infertile. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy may lower the number of sperms or damage the sperms. Hence the man may become infertile. Infertility depends on certain factors such as the general health of the individual and the chemotherapy drugs administered. It is important to talk to the physician about fertility problems and about the intentions of having children in the future.
Getting pregnant during chemotherapy can cause serious defects in the unborn baby. So it is important not to get pregnant during this time. Further more it is also important that a man receiving chemotherapy will not make his partner pregnant since his sperms may be damaged and may cause birth defects. Infertility problems may be permanent, so it is impotent to talk with the physician and be informed as much as possible.