The side effects depend on many things, including what type of drugs being prescribed, dosages, and whether taken orally or intravenously. Multiple therapies at the same time, or sequentially, can increase side effects.

Side effects
It is common to have a loss of appetite, changes in taste and smell of foods, mouth tenderness or mouth sores, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, weight loss, and fatigue. These side effects sometimes are limited to during or immediately after treatments, but other times the side effect may last more long term, throughout the course of chemotherapy. Eating well can helps.

Vitamin supplements
Taking a multivitamin should only be done, if recommended by your Oncologist.

Preventing weight loss
Sometimes people do lose weight when receiving radiation or chemotherapy. Eating well will help prevent weight loss, and it might help during treatment and in post treatment recovery.

These suggestions may help:

* Try to eat nutrient-dense foods (if you can tolerate them), such as meat, dried beans, dairy foods, fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains.

* Choose high-calorie goodies, such as milk shakes.

* Try drinking a commercial nutritional supplement, if you are too tired to fuss over making and eating a meal or snack. Nutritional supplements are often a good source of calories, vitamins, and minerals.

*Allow yourself to give into a craving and enjoy it, if your appetite has been poor and you suddenly find yourself wanting something in particular.