Intravesical chemotherapy is a treatment for bladder cancer. The American Cancer Society describes intravesical chemotherapy as chemotherapy that is placed directly into the bladder through a catheter, instead of given orally or intravenously. There are side effects with this kind of chemotherapy, as with any cancer treatment, but not everyone will experience every side effect, and they are typically manageable and tend to resolve once treatment has ended.
Significance
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2010 in the United States, approximately 70,530 new diagnoses of bladder cancer will be made, and that more than 14,000 individuals will die from the disease. Approximately three out of four cases of bladder cancer are diagnosed when the cancer is confined to the bladder and has not spread, according to the American Cancer Society. With these cancers, treatment with intravesical chemotherapy is an option.
Features
With intravesical chemotherapy, the drugs do not travel throughout the body; they are concentrated in the bladder to kill cancer cells there more intensely. Since this kind of chemotherapy does not affect cancer cells anywhere but the bladder, intravesical chemotherapy is typically only given for Stage 0 or Stage I bladder cancer.
Types
Several drugs and drug combinations are commonly used in intravesical chemotherapy. BCG, or Bacillus Calmette-Guerin, is a combination chemotherapy treatment given by intravesicular infusion, says chemocare.com. The American Cancer Society says this combination is the most effective intravesical immunotherapy for early bladder cancer. Other drugs that are often used include an immune therapy drug called interferon, and the chemotherapy drugs mitomycin and thiotepa. Less commonly used drugs that may also be given include doxorubicin, gemcitabine and valrubicin.
Side Effects
Side effects of intravesical chemotherapy depend on which drugs are being given. BCG side effects can include flu-like symptoms such as fever or chills, fatigue, pain with urination, urinary frequency and blood in the urine, according to chemocare.com. Side effects of interferon listed by the American Cancer Society are typically flu-like symptoms, bone pain, headaches, nausea, vomiting and trouble concentrating. Side effects of other cancer drugs during intravesical chemotherapy typically involve a burning feeling in the bladder, irritation with urination and fatigue.
Benefits
One of the main benefits of intravesical therapy, compared to traditional systemic chemotherapy that travels throughout the body, is a reduced amount of side effects. This is because the chemotherapy drugs are typically not absorbed by the bladder, says the American Cancer Society. Thiotepa may be absorbed by the bladder, which can cause toxicity and side effects, but this is an exception.
