Side Effects Associated with Intravesical Mitomycin C

Abstract

The nature and severity of side effects accompanying intravesical chemotherapy with mitomycin C [for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder] was studied in 29 patients. No patient experienced systemic toxicity. Local side effects developed in 7 patients (24%), and consisted of moderate cystitis in 3 and drug-related palmar desquamation, with or without generalized rash in 4. Based on skin tests, 3 of these patients were believed to have a contact dermatitis. The 4th patient had a generalized rash, in addition to palmar desquamation, that appeared after subsequent instillations of mitomycin C; the drug had to be discontinued. Careful cleansing of the hands and perineum on the day of treatment can prevent most skin reactions.