Overview
Ifosfamide induced hemorrhagic cystitis. Hemorrhagic cystitis is a complication in patients receiving chemotherapy with ifosfamide drugs. Ifosfamide is a chemotherapeutic drug used for blood cancers such as leukemia and lymphomas, testicular cancers, sarcomas, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, head and neck cancers. Hemorrhagic cystitis refers to a sterile, non-infectious inflammation of the urinary bladder with bleeding. Ifosfamide is broken down into a substance called acrolein by the liver and is excreted through urine. When this substance comes into contact with the bladder wall, it causes damage and inflammation. Some of the signs and symptoms of Ifosfamide induced hemorrhagic cystitis are painful urination, hematuria, urgency, frequency, and suprapubic pain. Ifosfamide induced hemorrhagic cystitis can be prevented with adequate hydration and continuous bladder drainage. It can be treated with continuous bladder irrigation, clot evacuation, open cystostomy, percutaneous nephrostomy drainage and cystectomy in severe cases. However, the best option is prevention.
