What is an example of an adverse effect related to chemotherapy?

Bone marrow suppression is a well-known adverse effect associated with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy drugs are designed to target rapidly dividing cells, which includes cancer cells but also affects other rapidly dividing normal cells in the body. One of the critical cell types affected is located in the bone marrow, where blood cells are produced. As a result, patients undergoing chemotherapy may experience a decrease in red blood cells, leading to anemia, a reduction in white blood cells, increasing the risk of infections, and a drop in platelets, which can lead to bleeding and bruising.

The other options listed, while they can occur with chemotherapy treatment, are not classified specifically as adverse effects related to the suppression of bone marrow activity. For example, fatigue can be due to several factors, including the cancer itself or the result of anemia. Altered taste sensation is a common complaint among cancer patients but does not directly relate to the physiological impact on blood cell production. Weight gain is generally not associated with the direct adverse effects of chemotherapy and can occur for varied reasons unrelated to the treatment itself. Therefore, bone marrow suppression stands out as the most direct and significant adverse effect linked to the mechanism of chemotherapy.