Carcinoma of the urinary bladder after treatment with cyclophosphamide for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma

N Engl J Med. 1988 Apr 21;318(16):1028-32. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198804213181604.

Abstract

We observed nine cases of transitional-cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder among patients who had had long-term treatment of other cancers with cyclophosphamide. Seven of the bladder carcinomas occurred within a cohort of 471 patients treated for non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. In this cohort the relative risk of bladder cancer was 6.8 (95 percent confidence interval, 3.2 to 14.2). The cumulative risk (mean +/- SE) was 3.5 +/- 1.8 percent 8 years after the start of treatment with cyclophosphamide and 10.7 +/- 4.9 percent after 12 years. Three of the nine patients were 50 years of age or younger; seven died with progressive bladder cancer. Subsequently, an additional patient had acute nonlymphocytic leukemia. Hemorrhagic cystitis was observed in 33 patients (cumulative risk, 11.8 +/- 2.1 percent after five years). Development of carcinoma of the urinary bladder was not related to previous hemorrhagic cystitis. The results caution against long-term treatment with cyclophosphamide for diseases with a favorable prognosis.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / chemically induced*
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects*
  • Cystitis / complications
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hemorrhage / complications
  • Humans
  • Leukemia / chemically induced
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prognosis
  • Risk Factors
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Cyclophosphamide