Hemorrhagic cystitis; an old story with new advancements

Cyclophosphamide (CP), an oxazaphosphorine alkylating agent introduced in 1958, is widely used in the treatment of solid tumors and B-cell malignant disease, such as lymphoma, myeloma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia. Furthermore, CP and ifosfamide, a synthetic analogue of CP, have had an increasing role in the treatment of nonneoplastic diseases, such as thrombocytopenic purpura, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosis, nephritic syndrome, and Wegener granulomatosis, and as a conditioner before bone marrow transplantation. Soon after their discovery, as early as 1960, the first side-effects of CP were reported by Coggins and co-workers. These side-effects have been reported as transient irritative voiding symptoms, including urinary frequency, dysuria, urgency, suprapubic discomfort and strangury with microhematuria as well as life-threatening hemorrhagic cystitis. Bladder fibrosis, necrosis, contracture, and vesicoureteral reflux also have been reported. Hemorrhage usually occurs during or immediately after treatment, whether with short-term high or long-term low dosages. In 1981, Brock et al have documented that... [J Exp Integr Med 2012; 2(2.000): 93-94]