Thiotepa/Mitomycin Bladder Instillation
Thiotepa is a liquid medicine for the treatment of cancer. The medicine is put into your bladder through a narrow tube called a catheter. The usual course of treatment is once a week for 6 weeks or as directed by your doctor.
Before the Treatment
- Do not drink fluids for 4 hours before and 2 hours after you receive your treatment. This will help you hold the medicine in your bladder.
- When you arrive at the hospital, go to the main outpatient lab to have your blood drawn. If you would prefer, you may have your blood labs drawn up to 3 days before your treatment.
- After your blood is drawn, you should go to Registration. Then, check in at the Urology Clinic. You will be given a cup to provide a urine sample. Be sure there is a sticker with your name on the cup.
- The nurse will go over your lab and urine results. Then, the nurse will send the medicine orders to the pharmacy where the drug will be mixed.
- Expect to spend about 2 ½ hours at the hospital. The treatment itself takes about 10 minutes.
During the Treatment
- A nurse will put a catheter through your urethra (urine channel) and into your bladder.
- The nurse will pour the medicine into the catheter. It will flow into your bladder.
- In most cases, the catheter will be removed from the bladder after the treatment is done. You may go home after the catheter is taken out.
- You should hold the medicine in your bladder for 2 hours for best results.
- You may move from side to side and back to front every 15 minutes while the medicine is in your bladder.
After the Treatment
Now that you have held the medicine in your bladder for 2 hours, there are things you must do.
- Sit on the toilet and urinate. Empty your bladder as much as you can.
- Close the toilet seat lid. Flush the toilet 2 times right after you empty your bladder.
- Wash your hands and genital area very well with soap and water.
- Keep sitting, flushing, and washing every time you empty your bladder during the first 6 hours after the treatment.
- After you empty your bladder the first time, you should drink plenty of fluid for the rest of the day to help flush the medicine out of your bladder.
Side Effects
- Burning when you empty your bladder, most often the first time you urinate after the treatment.
- Feeling that you need to empty your bladder often and quickly.
- Decreased white blood count.
- Decreased platelets.
Rare Side Effects
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Allergic reaction such as skin rash, hives, tightness in the throat
- Mouth sores
- Hair loss
If you have any of these rare side effects, call the clinic or go to the Emergency Department if necessary.
Phone Numbers
Urology Clinic, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm (608) 263-4757
After hours, weekends, and holidays, this number is answered by the paging operator. Ask for the urology resident on call. Leave your name and phone number with the area code. The doctor will call you back.
If you live out of the area, call 1-800-323-8942.
The information provided should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
Last Updated: 11/16/2011
Copyright © 08/25/2009 University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority. All rights reserved. Produced by the Department of Nursing. HF#6939
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