When you hear the word steroid you may think of "roid rage" and
muscle-bound gym rats with shrunken testicles. But if your doctor
prescribed steroids as part of your treatment for cancer or another
serious illness, don't worry. It's not "that" kind of steroid.
Your doctor is actually talking about cortisol, a form of steroid that your body produces naturally. It's different from anabolic steroids, which are the illegal muscle-building kind.
You'll probably get a manmade version of the natural steroid cortisol, such as:
Doctors can prescribe steroids for cancer treatment several ways:
You may not have any side effects. But if you do, don't worry — they'll only last as long as you're taking the steroids. When you stop your treatment, things will return to normal.
Some of the more common side effects of steroid treatments include:
If you develop several of these symptoms, you have a condition called Cushing syndrome. Sometimes it gets better if you make changes in the way you take the steroids. If you're having problems with these side effects, talk to your doctor.
Remember, you may not have any side effects. If you do, you'll probably find that they're overshadowed by the benefits of the treatment. But check with your doctor about ways to make them easier to live with.
Your doctor is actually talking about cortisol, a form of steroid that your body produces naturally. It's different from anabolic steroids, which are the illegal muscle-building kind.
How Steroids Help
Although the cortisol-type steroids prescribed for cancer treatment are different from anabolic steroids, you still need to take them under the close supervision of your doctor or medical specialist.You'll probably get a manmade version of the natural steroid cortisol, such as:
- cortisone
- hydrocortisone
- prednisone
- methylprednisolone
- dexamethasone
- reduce nausea associated with chemotherapy and radiation
- kill cancer cells and shrink tumors as part of chemotherapy
- decrease swelling
- reduce allergic reactions (before transfusions, for example)
- lessen headaches caused by brain tumors
Doctors can prescribe steroids for cancer treatment several ways:
- by injection
- through an intravenous (IV) drip
- in liquid or pill form
- as a cream
Steroids used in medical treatments can have some side effects, although they're not as extreme as the side effects from anabolic steroids. Talk to your doctor and ask questions if you're worried.
You may not have any side effects. But if you do, don't worry — they'll only last as long as you're taking the steroids. When you stop your treatment, things will return to normal.
Some of the more common side effects of steroid treatments include:
- increased appetite
- weight gain, often in unfamiliar places, like your cheeks or the back of your neck
- mood swings
- stomach upset or ulcers
- osteoporosis (weaker bones)
- vision problems
- higher blood pressure
- increased blood sugar. Sometimes, people develop diabetes temporarily. If you already have diabetes, you'll need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely.
- for girls, irregular menstruation (missed or late periods)
If you develop several of these symptoms, you have a condition called Cushing syndrome. Sometimes it gets better if you make changes in the way you take the steroids. If you're having problems with these side effects, talk to your doctor.
Remember, you may not have any side effects. If you do, you'll probably find that they're overshadowed by the benefits of the treatment. But check with your doctor about ways to make them easier to live with.
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