Side effects associated with intravesical mitomycin.

The nature and severity of side effects accompanying intravesical chemotherapy with mitomycin C were studied in 29 patients. No patient experienced systemic toxicity. Local side effects developed in 7 patients (24 per cent), and consisted of moderate cystitis in 3 and drug-related palmar desquamation, with or without generalized rash, in 4. Based on skin tests 3 of these patients were believed to have a contact dermatitis. The fourth patient had a generalized rash, in addition to palmar desquamation, that appeared after subsequent instillations of mitomycin C and the drug had to be discontinued. Careful cleansing of the hands and perineum on the day of treatment can prevent most skin reactions.