Cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs primarily target rapidly dividing cells, which can lead to a number of well-documented side effects. Nausea is one of the most common side effects due to the impact of these drugs on the gastrointestinal tract and the brain’s vomiting center. Myelosuppression is another significant side effect, as these drugs can impair the bone marrow's ability to produce blood cells, leading to conditions like anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia. Cardiac toxicity can occur with certain chemotherapeutic agents, particularly those known to affect cardiac function, such as doxorubicin.
In contrast, while strokes are serious medical events, they are not directly caused by cytotoxic chemotherapy drugs. The occurrence of a stroke involves a complex interplay of factors such as vascular health, blood pressure, and clotting disorders, which are not directly related to the action of chemotherapy. Therefore, it is less likely to be associated with chemotherapy compared to the other options listed. This distinction is crucial as it helps in understanding the risk profiles of different treatment modalities in oncology.