What is a common side effect experienced by patients receiving chemotherapy?

Hair loss is a well-known and common side effect experienced by patients receiving chemotherapy due to the treatment's impact on rapidly dividing cells, which include not only cancer cells but also healthy cells in hair follicles. Chemotherapy drugs target these fast-growing cells, leading to hair loss or thinning as a result of damage to the hair follicles.

While other side effects, such as shortness of breath, can occur depending on specific chemotherapy regimens or underlying health issues, they are not universally experienced across all chemotherapy treatments. Excessive weight gain is generally not a direct side effect of chemotherapy; in fact, many patients may experience weight loss. Increased energy levels do not typically accompany chemotherapy, as treatment often leads to fatigue and lethargy rather than an increase in energy. Thus, hair loss stands out as a common and readily recognized consequence of chemotherapy.