Mitomycin C

How this drug is given:

As an injection or infusion into the vein (intravenous, IV).
Mitomycin is a vesicant. A vesicant is a chemical that causes extensive tissue damage and blistering if it escapes from the vein. The nurse or doctor who gives this drug must be carefully trained. If you notice redness or swelling at the IV site while you are receiving mitomycin, alert your health care professional immediately.
As an intravesicle infusion to treat superficial bladder cancer (cancer on the surface of the bladder wall). This means it is given directly into the bladder through a urinary catheter. The urinary catheter is inserted through the urethra (the tube which carries urine from the bladder to the outside the body). The mitomycin solution is injected into the catheter, which is then removed. Normal walking around helps to disperse the medication throughout the bladder. The medication is left in for about 2 hours, after which the patient then empties the bladder (urinates).
There is no pill form of mitomycin.
The amount of mitomycin that you will receive depends on many factors, including your height and weight, your general health or other health problems, and the type of cancer or condition being treated. Your doctor will determine your dose, schedule, and the method it will be given.

• Low blood counts. Your white and red blood cells and platelets may temporarily decrease. This can put you at increased risk for infection, anemia and/or bleeding. The nadir counts are delayed with this drug.
• Nadir: Meaning low point, nadir is the point in time between chemotherapy cycles in which you experience low blood counts.
• Mouth sores
• Poor appetite
• Fatigue