Science Letters

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, a cause of hypertension and weight loss in cancer patients

Muhammad Younis a, Muhammad Iqbal b, Neelma Shoukat c, Raza Abbas d, Feroza Hamid Wattoo e, Khawar Ali Shahzad f*

a Institute of Life Sciences, Southeast University, 210000, Nanjing, China

b Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences, Jamshoro, Pakistan

c Institute of Biochemistry, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan

d School of biological and Environmental Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, China

e Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

f Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan

Abstract

Cancer is an abnormal condition in which uncontrolled growth and proliferation of normal cells occurs. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments are used frequently to prevent cancer growth. These treatments can also reduce the ability of the bone marrow to produce red blood cells in response to their loss. The present study was conducted to compare the effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on the hypertension and weight loss in different types of cancer patients. A total of 80 samples for blood pressure and weight loss were compared as control and cancer patients. The Sphygmomanometer was used for the measurement of blood pressure and weight was measured by a Trimmer bathroom scale or weight machine. A significant difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressure with 136.6+3.9 and 95+4.3 mmHg was noted in cancer patients as in normal samples the values were 125.7+2.9and 79.5+3.2 mmHg, respectively. In case of weight loss, the difference was also extensive as in cancer patients the value was 54.33+7.8 kg, while in normal samples with same height, the values were 62.93+5.3 kg. It was concluded that cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can result in the increase systolic, diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate and reduced weight loss. Current findings showed that chemotherapy and radiotherapy effect quality of cancer patient's life. Healthy diet and proper care can be suggested to the patients during cancer treatment, especially in the case of chemotherapy and radiotherapy to maintain the blood pressure and body weight.

Keywords: Cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hypertension, weight loss.

Received February 12, 2014; Revised April 21, 2014; Accepted April 27, 2014

Corresponding author: Khawar Ali Shahzad; Email: khawar7bar@yahoo.com