Can chemotherapy stunt your growth?

As a medical professional with expertise in oncology, I can provide you with information on the potential effects of chemotherapy on growth. Chemotherapy can indeed have an impact on growth, particularly in children and adolescents. The treatment works by targeting rapidly dividing cells, which is effective against cancer cells but can also affect normal cells that are supposed to be growing and dividing, such as bone cells. This can lead to abnormal growth in some cases. Children who receive chemotherapy are at risk for stunted growth, especially if the treatment includes radiation therapy. Radiation therapy can directly affect the growth plates in bones, which are areas of active bone growth. When these growth plates are damaged, it can result in stunted bone growth in the affected area. While there may be a period of catch-up growth after the completion of chemotherapy, it's important to note that some children may not experience this and may not grow past a certain height. The extent to which growth is affected can vary widely from one individual to another and depends on factors such as the type and duration of chemotherapy, the specific drugs used, the age of the child at the time of treatment, and the overall health of the child. It's crucial for children undergoing chemotherapy to have regular check-ups with their healthcare providers to monitor their growth and development closely. In some cases, interventions such as growth hormone therapy may be considered to help support growth.

Abnormal bone growth. Kids who undergo radiation treatment may be at risk for stunted bone growth later on, especially in the area where the radiation was targeted. Chemotherapy has a similar effect, and even though there may be a period of catch-up growth after treatment, some kids won't grow past a certain height.