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Patient information - Bladder cancer - Intravesical mitomycin single dose post TURBT

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This information sheet outlines your treatment. It should be reviewed together with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist to address any questions or concerns.

The treatment schedule below explains when you will receive the medicines and how they are given.  Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will be able to explain how your treatment works in more detail.

The treatment schedule below explains how the drug for this treatment is given.

Intravesical mitomycin
This treatment is given once immediately (within 24 hours) post transuretheral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT). 
Day Treatment How it is given How long it takes
1 Mitomycin (my-tow-my-sin) Through a tube (urinary catheter) into your bladder  About 2 to 3 hours
  • Mitomycin is a chemotherapy drug that aims to kill any cancer cells that may have remained in your bladder after surgery (TURBT). The drug itself stays in your bladder for one to two hours and is then drained out through the urinary catheter, or leaves your bladder when you pass urine.

Emergency contact details

Ask your doctor or nurse from your treating team when you should get help and who to contact if you have a problem
Daytime: 
Night/weekend: 
Other instructions: 

 

Before your treatment 

Tell your consultant if you are taking diuretics (fluid tablets), they will advise you what to do about taking them on the day of surgery.

During your treatment

A urinary catheter (a flexible tube that drains urine) is inserted into your bladder for the surgery. A local anaesthetic gel is used to reduce any discomfort during the insertion. After the surgery the drug solution is administered through the urinary catheter into your bladder.

The urinary catheter is then either removed from your bladder at that time or left in place until the treatment has finished. To keep the drug in contact with your bladder, you will be asked not to pass urine for two hours. You may also be asked to turn onto your left hand side, then the right hand side and to stand up, to allow the drug to coat the entire surface of your bladder.

After your treatment

The medication can remain in your bladder in the days following the procedure. After your treatment pass urine sitting down, close the lid and double flush, wash your hands thoroughly with soapy water. If you spill urine on your skin wash the area with soapy water. 

Drink plenty of fluids in the first 24 hours after your treatment and especially if you are experiencing side effects such as irritation to the bladder. Aim to drink 2-3 litres unless contraindicated, tea, coffee, caffeinated soft drinks may increase bladder irritation and should be avoided. Discomfort may be present when passing urine for 3-4 hours after the procedure and can last for a few days. You can take some paracetamol or a urine alkaliniser medication, ask your doctor or nurse about this. 

Cancer treatments can cause damage to normal cells in your body, which can cause side effects. Everyone gets different side effects, and some people will have more problems than others.

The table below shows some of the side effects you may get with this treatment. You are unlikely to get all of those listed and you may also get some side effects that have not been listed.

Tell your doctor or nurse about any side effects that worry you. Follow the instructions below and those given to you by your doctor or nurse.

Immediate (onset hours to days)

Bladder inflammation (cystitis)

  • You may have pain or discomfort when passing urine, the feeling of an urgency to urinate, or you may urinate more than normal.
  • These symptoms usually only last for about 48 hours.
  • You should drink at least eight glasses of water a day (unless you are fluid restricted).
  • Tell your doctor or nurse as soon as possible if you notice blood in your urine, or it looks cloudy or smells different to normal.
  • Tell your doctor or nurse immediately, or go to your nearest hospital Emergency Department, if you are unable to pass urine or if you have a temperature of 38°C or higher.

Flu-like symptoms

  • You may get: 
    • a fever
    • chills or sweats 
    • muscle and joint pain 
    • a cough
    • headaches.
  • Tell your doctor or nurse if you get any of the symptoms listed above. 
  • Tell your doctor or nurse immediately, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department if you have a temperature of 38°C or higher.

Allergic reaction

  • Allergic reactions are uncommon but can be life threatening.
  • If you feel unwell during the infusion or shortly after it, or:
    • get a fever, shivers or shakes
    • feel dizzy, faint, confused or anxious
    • start wheezing or have difficulty breathing
    • have a rash, itch or redness of the face

While you are in hospital: Tell your doctor or nurse immediately.

After you leave: Contact your doctor or nurse immediately, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department.

Chemotherapy safety

  • Learn how to keep you and your family safe while you are having anticancer drugs.
  • See our patient information sheet - Chemotherapy safety at home. 

Blood clot risk

  • Cancer and anticancer drugs can increase the risk of a blood clot (thrombosis).
  • Tell your doctor if you have a family history of blood clots.
  • A blood clot can cause pain, redness, swelling in your arms or legs, shortness of breath or chest pain.
  • If you have any of these symptoms go to your nearest hospital Emergency Department.

Medications and vaccinations 

  • Before you start treatment, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any medications you are taking, including over-the-counter products, vitamins or herbal supplements.
  • Don’t stop or start any medications during treatment without talking to your doctor and pharmacist first.
  • Do not have any vaccinations without discussing with the doctor who is managing your cancer treatment.
  • People you live with should be fully vaccinated, according to the current vaccination schedule. Extra care needs to be taken with hand washing and careful disposal of soiled nappies for infants who have recently received the rotavirus vaccine.

Other medical and dental treatment

  • If you go to hospital or any other medical appointment (including dental appointments), always tell the person treating you that you are receiving anticancer drugs.
  • Before you have any dental treatment, talk to your doctor. 

Fertility

  • Some cancer treatments can reduce your fertility. This can make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant or father a child.
  • Talk to your doctor or nurse before you start any treatment. Depending on your situation there may be fertility sparing options available to you and/or your partner, discuss these with your doctor or nurse. 

Pregnancy and breastfeeding 

  • Some cancer treatments can be dangerous to unborn babies. Talk to your doctor or nurse if you think there is any chance that you could be pregnant.
  • Do not try to get pregnant or father a child during this treatment. Contraception should be used during treatment and after stopping treatment. Ask your doctor or nurse about what type of contraception you should use.
  • If you are planning pregnancy/fatherhood after completing this treatment, talk to your doctor. Some doctors advise waiting between 6 months and 2 years after treatment.
  • Do not breastfeed if you are on this treatment, as anti-cancer medications can also pass into breast milk.

Sex life and sexuality 

  • You should refrain from sexual intercourse for 48 hours after treatment. 
  • If sexually active a penile sheath /condom is advised during sexual intercourse and should be worn for at least 1 week after intravesical therapy has been given.
  • The desire to have sex may decrease as a result of this treatment or its side effects. 
  • Your emotions and the way you feel about yourself may also be affected by this treatment. 
  • It may help to discuss your concerns with your partner and doctor or nurse.

Quitting smoking

  • It is never too late to quit smoking. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to help your treatment work better.
  • There are many effective tools to improve your chances of quitting.
  • Talk to your treating team for more information and referral to a smoking cessation support service.

Staying active

  • Research shows that exercise, no matter how small, has many benefits for people during and after cancer treatment.
  • Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program. Your doctor can advise whether you need a modified exercise program.

For more information about cancer treatment, side effects and side effect management see our Patient and carers section. 

Telephone support

  • Call Cancer Council on 13 11 20 for cancer information and support

Bladder and urinary tract cancer information

General cancer information and support

Quit smoking information and support

Quitting smoking is helpful even after you have been diagnosed with cancer. The following resources provide useful information and support to help you quit smoking. Talk to your treating team about any other questions you may have.

This document is a guide only and cannot cover every possible situation. Your treating team will consider your individual situation when making decisions about your care. Contact your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or radiation therapist if you have any questions or concerns about your treatment, or you are having problems coping with side effects. While eviQ aims to provide reliable information, eviQ and the Cancer Institute NSW do not endorse or accept responsibility for the accuracy, currency, reliability or correctness of the content of linked external information sources. Use of this document is subject to eviQ’s disclaimer available at www.eviQ.org.au

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https://www.eviq.org.au/pi/3378

21 May 2025