What is a common effect of chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is designed to target rapidly dividing cells, which are characteristic of many cancer types. However, it unfortunately also affects other fast-growing normal cells in the body, such as those in the bone marrow, digestive tract, and hair follicles, leading to common side effects like anemia, nausea, and hair loss.

The correct answer highlights that one of the significant challenges associated with chemotherapy is the potential for cancer cells to develop resistance to the drugs used. Over time, some cancer cells can adapt and find ways to survive despite the presence of chemotherapy agents, making the treatment less effective and often necessitating changes in the treatment protocol. This development of drug resistance is a major concern in cancer treatment, as it can lead to treatment failures and the need for more aggressive or alternative therapies.

The other options suggest points that do not accurately reflect the behavior of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy does not selectively target only cancer cells; it also damages normal cells, which leads to a wide range of side effects. It also does not reduce all types of cells equally; the effects vary based on the type of drug, the dosage, and the specific vulnerabilities of the cancer cells versus the normal cells. Furthermore, chemotherapy is not limited to solid tumors; it can also be effective in treating