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information for patients
Intravesical Chemotherapy with
Epirubicin
What is Intravesical Chemotherapy?
It is a method of giving drugs directly into
the bladder.
The nurse will then take you into a private
room for your treatment. A catheter (small
hollow plastic tube) will then be gently
inserted into your bladder through your
Why do I need this treatment?
urethra (normal opening into the bladder) and
You have recently been investigated for
the chemotherapy drug will be instilled
bladder problems and you have been found through the catheter directly into your
to have some abnormal cells in your
bladder. The catheter is then removed.
bladder.
You will be asked to hold the drug in your
Our bodies are made up of tiny structures bladder for 1 hour and then you will be
called cells, which cannot be seen by the
allowed to empty your bladder as normal (men
naked eye. Normally these cells reproduce will be asked to sit down on the toilet to pass
themselves by dividing in an orderly fashion, urine for the first time after having the drug
enabling growth and repair of body tissues. instilled). A small amount of bleach is then
poured down the toilet and left for 15 minutes
Sometimes, uncontrolled growth of cells
before flushing.
occurs. This is abnormal, and is currently
happening in your bladder. It is affecting a
You must then wash your hands thoroughly
few layers of cells on the inner lining of
after emptying your bladder to remove any
your bladder.
remaining traces of the drug. This is because if
the drug remains on the skin it may cause an
Left alone, these abnormal cells may affect irritating rash.
more layers of the bladder wall. These
abnormal cells are commonly called:
For some people, it is not necessary to remain
growths, tumours or superficial cancer cells. in the Urology department during the hour
that you are retaining the drug. The nurses will
How will this treatment be given?
discuss this with you.
You will be asked to attend the urology
Department for treatment lasting five or six How will I know when to attend?
weeks (your doctor or nurse specialist will The Specialist Nurse will contact you at home
confirm this with you).
to arrange any investigations that you may
It is important that your treatment is
require prior to your treatment and to discuss
continuous, so if you cannot attend or if
with you when treatment will begin.
you are going away on holiday, please let us
know.
On arrival to the department, you will be
asked to empty your bladder first.
Please turnover for
move information
information for patients
Will there be any side
effects?
You will notice that your urine
may be bloodstained and debris
may be present for a couple of days after
treatment.
You may feel the need to pass urine
more frequently or experience ‘burning’
or ‘stinging’ when you pass urine for the
first couple of days after treatment.
If you are worried, then please contact the
Specialist Nurse or your GP for advice (see
useful telephone numbers on the back of this
sheet).
The drug you are about to receive is
EPIRUBICIN 50mg
Will I be harming any of my children/
grandchildren whilst receiving
treatment?
You may cuddle babies and children as normal;
your treatment will not cause any harm.
Is there anything I can do to help stop
these abnormal cells growing?
Yes, research has shown that smoking can
encourage these cells to grow. If you do
smoke, it is helpful if you can try to stop
smoking.
It is not unusual for these
courses of chemotherapy to
be repeated.
Help us to help you!
If you have any further questions or worries,
please feel free to discuss them.
All of these side effects are normal. If you
If you need further advice contact:
experience any of them, try to drink plenty of
fluids and let the nurse know on your next
The Urology Department
visit.
Monday to Friday 8.30 am — 5 pm
Telephone: 01246 512349
Further Questions…
Will my hair fall out?
No, it is only your bladder that receives the
drug
Can I continue to work whilst receiving
treatment?
Yes, unless you feel unwell.
What about other medications I am
taking?
Continue to take any medicines you are
currently receiving.
Can I make love whilst receiving
treatment?
We advise that you wait 24 hours after each
treatment before resuming lovemaking.
Intravesical Chemotherapy with Epirubin Reviewed: April 2015
Next planned review date: April 2017
Division: Surgical Specialities