Intravesicular Mitomycin (Mutamycin®, Mitomycin-C, Zusdori™- Given into the bladder)
Pronounce: MY-toe-MY-sin
Classification: Antitumor Antibiotic
About Intravesicular Mitomycin (Mutamycin®, Mitomycin-C, Zusdori™- Given into the bladder)
Mitomycin is an antitumor antibiotic that affects DNA synthesis in cancer cells. Since cancer cells divide faster and with less error-correcting than healthy cells, they are affected more by this damage. This cell damage slows or stops the growth of cancer cells in your body.
How to Take Mitomycin
Mitomycin is given directly into your bladder (called intravesicular) through a catheter. The medication is left in your bladder for 1 to 2 hours. The dosage and schedule are determined by your provider.
This drug is blue in color and may make your urine blue-green in color. This can last up to two days after each dose. It is not uncommon to have urinary frequency (need to go often) or painful urination for 24 hours after treatment. If this still happens after 24 hours, call your provider.
How the Intravesicular Treatment is Given
- You should limit how much your drink starting the night before the procedure. Do not have any fluids for 4 hours before the procedure. This is so you will be able to hold your urine in during the procedure for the full treatment time. In addition, the area receives more concentrated (and effective) doses of the drug when you do not urinate during the procedure.
- If you take a diuretic (water pill), you will be told to not take this for at least 4 hours before the procedure.
- A urinary catheter is inserted into your bladder and urine is drained.
- The mitomycin is given through the catheter, into your bladder. The catheter may be removed, or it may be clamped (closed off) and stay in your bladder during the procedure. Your provider will tell you if the cathether will be removed or will stay in your bladder.
- You will need to hold the mitomycin in your bladder for 1 to 2 hours. You may need to change positions every 15 minutes to be sure the drug reaches all areas of your bladder. Do this by rolling on your side, back, other side and stomach.
Precautions After Treatment
- Males and females should sit to urinate for 6 hours after the treatment to prevent splashing urine on the skin or exposing others to the medication.
- Do not use public toilets or urinate outside.
- For the first six hours after treatment, flush the toilet twice with the toilet seat down.
- Wash your hands and genital area with soap and water after urinating to remove any medication from your skin and to prevent skin irritation.
- Drink plenty of fluids for 8 to 12 hours after your treatment to flush your bladder.
- Prevent others from being exposed to the medication by washing your clothes separately from the rest of the laundry and wearing rubber gloves when cleaning the toilet or any urine spills.
- If using an incontinence pad, place it in a plastic bag and discard it with trash.
Possible Side Effects of Mitomycin Given Into the Bladder
- Mitomycin can cause skin irritation if it comes into contact with your skin. Washing the area with soap and water after urinating can lower this risk.
- Some patients will develop a bladder infection after this procedure. If you have an urgency to urinate, burning or pain with urination, blood in the urine or fever, tell your provider right away.
- Intravesicular chemotherapy may cause burning with urination, cramps and diarrhea.
- In some rare cases, mitomycin can cause a decrease in your blood counts. This can include white blood cells (important for fighting infection), platelets (for blood clotting) and red blood cells. This is more likely to happen when the medication is given after surgery and there is injury in the bladder (cuts, tears), which can allow the medication to be absorbed into the blood stream. However, it can occur with any administration.