Bladder complications in patients receiving cyclophosphamide for systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis

Ann Intern Med. 1979 Aug;91(2):221-3. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-91-2-221.

Abstract

The bladder complications of 54 patients treated with oral cyclophosphamide for systemic lupus erythematosus (43) or rheumatoid arthritis (11) were reviewed. During an observation period of 241 patient years, we saw seven cases of acute hemorrhagic cystitis and two cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Bladder carcinoma was identified 28 and 60 months after withdrawal of the drug and resulted in the death of one patient. The late-occurring serious toxicities of cyclophosphamide should limit the use of the drug in the treatment of nonmalignant inflammatory rheumatic conditions.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Aged
  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid / drug therapy*
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / chemically induced*
  • Cyclophosphamide / administration & dosage
  • Cyclophosphamide / adverse effects*
  • Cyclophosphamide / therapeutic use
  • Cystitis / chemically induced*
  • Female
  • Hemorrhage / chemically induced
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / drug therapy*
  • Urinary Bladder / drug effects*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / chemically induced*

Substances

  • Cyclophosphamide