Carcinoma of the urinary bladder in patients receiving cyclophosphamide

N Engl J Med. 1975 Aug 7;293(6):271-3. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197508072930604.

Abstract

Hemorrhagic cystitis is a common side effect of cyclophosphamide therapy not observed with other alkylating agents. In five patients receiving cyclophosphamide by mouth for prolonged periods with large cumulative dosage urinary-bladder tumors fatal to four and requiring cystectomy in the lone survivor developed. These observations strongly suggest chemical carcinogenicity of this drug in the production of these tumors. Increasingly, cyclophosphamide is being used for non-neoplastic disease. These circumstances suggest careful follow-up observation of patients in whom hemorrhagic cystitis from this drug develops for evidence of bladder cancer, as well as restraint in use of cyclophosphamide for non-neoplastic diseases if alternative therapy is available.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adult
  • Carcinoma / chemically induced*
  • Carcinoma in Situ / chemically induced
  • Carcinoma in Situ / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / chemically induced*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects*
  • Cystitis / chemically induced
  • Hematuria / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Time Factors
  • Urinary Bladder / pathology
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / chemically induced*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology

Substances

  • Cyclophosphamide