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Nose bleeds

Bleeding from the nose is not an uncommon side effect of some chemotherapy drugs. Usually this is minor, and consists of just minor blood spotting on the handkerchief, particularly in the morning. The problem is worse in drier weather.

This problem is caused by fragility in the mucus membranes of the nose caused by certain chemotherapy drugs. Chemotherapy regimes that include the drug 5-fluorouracil or methotrexate, are particularly prone to cause this problem.

There is usually no need to be alarmed by minor spotting of blood from the nose. You should only be concerned if there is heavy or uncontrolled bleeding which could occasionally be a sign that the blood platelets are low, or could be an indication of some quite separate problem. 

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​Impartial cancer information, with an emphasis on breast cancer.  No sponsors or advertisements.  Updated regularly.  Written by Prof Rick Kefford, Medical Oncologist, and Jenny Gilchrist, Nurse Practitioner.

Copyright © 2020, Professor Richard Kefford AM MB BS PhD FRACP FAHMS.  All rights reserved.

  • Home
    • About
    • Locations
    • Appointments
    • Fees
    • Contact
  • Our Team
  • New Patients
  • Cancer Information
    • Advice for Carers
    • Alternative Medicine
    • Breast Cancer >
      • Adjuvant chemotherapy
      • After chemotherapy - what now?
      • Alopecia from Hormonal Therapy
      • Bisphosphonates - the bone strengtheners
      • Breast Cancer Myths
      • Causes of breast cancer
      • Chemotherapy for breast cancer
      • Family History
      • Femara, Arimidex and Aromasin: The Aromatase Inhibitors
      • Metastatic Breast Cancer
      • Neoadjuvant chemotherapy
      • Osteoporosis
      • Stage, Grade & Receptors
      • Tamoxifen
      • Targeted Therapies >
        • Anti-HER2 therapies
        • Other targeted therapies
      • Zoladex and stopping the ovaries
    • Clinical Trials
    • Exercise
    • FAQ
    • Herbal Preparations
    • Insomnia
    • Living with Chemotherapy >
      • Anaemia
      • Alopecia
      • Bad Smells
      • Beating Nausea
      • Changes in mental function
      • Depression
      • Diarrhoea
      • Dysgeusia
      • Fatigue
      • Indigestion and Heartburn
      • Low Blood Counts and Infection
      • Menstrual Changes and Infertility
      • Mouth Soreness and Ulceration
      • Nose Bleeds
      • Port-a-caths
    • Managing Menopause
    • Marijuana
    • Nutrition >
      • Eating to be cancer free
      • Losing Weight
      • Diet and chemotherapy
    • Pain
    • Palliative Care
    • Vaccinations
    • What's new
  • COVID-19 information
  • MORE
    • Downloads
    • Useful Resources
    • Patient information booklets
  • Search