Mitomycin

Mitomycin is a type of ​chemotherapy​ drug. You might have it as a treatment for a number of different types of cancer. 

You pronounce mitomycin as mito-my-sin.

Read more about your cancer type

How does mitomycin work?

Mitomycin works by interfering with the development of the ​genes​  in the cell's ​DNA​ . This stops the cell from dividing into 2 new cells and kills it. So mitomycin destroys quickly dividing cells, such as cancer cells.

How do you have mitomycin?

You have mitomycin into the bloodstream (intravenous).

You might have treatment through a long plastic tube that goes into a large vein in your chest. The tube stays in place throughout the course of treatment. This can be a:

• central line

• PICC line

• portacath

For bladder cancer you have mitomycin directly into your bladder. You have it through a tube called a catheter. This is called intravesical chemotherapy.

Find out more about chemotherapy into your bladder

How often do you have mitomycin?

You usually have chemotherapy as a course of several ​cycles of treatment​ .

The treatment plan for mitomycin depends on which cancer you have. You may have it with other chemotherapy drugs and with radiotherapy.

Tests

You have blood tests before and during your treatment. They check your levels of blood cells and other substances in the blood. They also check how well your liver and kidneys are working.

What are the side effects of mitomycin?

Side effects can vary from person to person. They also depend on what other treatments you're having. 

When to contact your team

Your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will go through the possible side effects. They will monitor you during treatment and check how you are at your appointments. Contact your advice line as soon as possible if:

• you have severe side effects 

• your side effects aren’t getting any better

• your side effects are getting worse

Early treatment can help manage side effects better. 

We haven't listed all the side effects here. Talk to your healthcare team if you have any new symptoms that you think might be a side effect of your treatment.

Remember it is very unlikely that you will have all of these side effects. But you might have some of them at the same time.

Side effects of mitomycin given into the bloodstream (intravenous)

Common side effects

These side effects happen in more than 10 in 100 people (more than 10%). You might have one or more of them. They include:

Increased risk of infection

Increased risk of getting an infection is due to a drop in white blood cells. Symptoms include a change in temperature, aching muscles, cough, headaches, feeling cold and shivery, pain or a burning feeling when peeing, or generally feeling unwell. You might have other symptoms depending on where the infection is.

Infections can sometimes be life threatening. You should contact your advice line urgently if you think you have an infection. 

Bruising, bleeding gums or nosebleeds

This is due to a drop in the number of platelets in your blood. These blood cells help the blood to clot when we cut ourselves. You may have nosebleeds or bleeding gums after brushing your teeth. Or you may have lots of tiny red spots or bruises on your arms or legs. This is known as petechiae.

Breathlessness

You might be breathless and look pale due to a drop in red blood cells. This is called anaemia.

Feeling or being sick

Feeling or being sick is usually well controlled with anti sickness medicines. It might help to avoid fatty or fried foods, eat small meals and snacks and take regular sips of water. Relaxation techniques might also help.

It is important to take anti sickness medicines as prescribed even if you don’t feel sick. It is easier to prevent sickness rather than treat it once it has started.

Occasional side effects

These side effects happen in between 1 and 10 out of every 100 people (between 1 and 10%). You might have one or more of them. They include:

• an allergic reaction that can cause a rash, shortness of breath, redness or swelling of the face and dizziness. Some allergic reactions can be life threatening, alert your nurse or doctor if notice any of these symptoms.

• lung changes - which can cause shortness of breath, a dry cough or difficulty breathing

• skin problems including a rash, dry skin, blisters and itching

• soreness, redness and peeling on the palms and soles of your feet – this is called hand-foot syndrome or palmar plantar syndrome

• changes in how your kidneys work - you'll have regular blood tests to check this

• inflammation around the injection site

Rare side effects

These side effects happen in fewer than 1 in 100 people (less than 1%). You might have one or more of them. They include:

• mouth sores and ulcers

• diarrhoea

• loss of appetite

• hair loss

• high temperature (fever)

Side effects of mitomycin into the bladder

Occasional side effects

These side effects happen in between 1 and 10 out of every 100 people (between 1 and 10%). You might have one or more of them. They include:

• skin problems including a rash, dry skin, blisters and itching

• soreness, redness and peeling on the palms and soles of your feet – this is called hand-foot syndrome or palmar plantar syndrome

• problems passing urine including pain, increased frequency during the day and night, and feeling unwell – this is due to bladder inflammation called cystitis

• blood in your urine (haematuria)

Other side effects

There isn't enough information to work out how often these side effects might happen. You might have one or more of them. They include:

• changes to your bladder wall including tissue damage or hardening

• your bladder holding less urine than it did before

• a hole in the bladder wall

After the treatment

If the urine touches your skin, the mitomycin may cause a rash. For a couple of days after having this treatment you should wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water. For the first 6 hours after treatment, you should also be washing your body parts too. 

For 24 hours after treatment, you should not have sexual intercourse. For a week after each treatment you, your partner or both should wear a condom.

Coping with side effects

We have more information about side effects and tips on how to cope with them.

Read more about how to cope with side effects

What else do you need to know?

Other medicines, food and drink

Cancer drugs can interact with medicines, herbal products, and some food and drinks. We are unable to list all the possible interactions that may happen. An example is grapefruit or grapefruit juice which can increase the side effects of certain drugs.

Tell your healthcare team about any medicines you are taking. This includes vitamins, herbal supplements and over the counter remedies. Also let them know about any other medical conditions or allergies you may have.

Pregnancy and contraception

This treatment may harm a baby developing in the womb. It is important not to become pregnant or get someone pregnant while you're having treatment and for at least 6 months afterwards.

Talk to your doctor or nurse about effective contraception before starting treatment. Let them know straight away if you or your partner become pregnant while having treatment. 

Fertility

You may not be able to become pregnant or get someone pregnant after treatment with this drug. Talk to your doctor before starting treatment if you think you may want to have a baby in the future.

Men might be able to store sperm before starting treatment. And women might be able to store eggs or ovarian tissue. But these services are not available in every hospital, so you would need to ask your doctor about this.    

Breastfeeding

Don’t breastfeed during this treatment because the drug may come through into your breast milk.

Treatment for other conditions

If you are having tests or treatment for anything else, always mention your cancer treatment. For example, if you are visiting your dentist.

Immunisations

Don’t have immunisations with live vaccines while you’re having treatment and for up to 12 months afterwards. The length of time depends on the treatment you are having.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist how long you should avoid live vaccinations.

In the UK, live vaccines include rubella, mumps, measles, BCG, and yellow fever.

You can usually have:

• other vaccines, but they might not give you as much protection as usual

• the flu vaccine (as an injection)

• the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the best time to have a vaccine in relation to your cancer treatment.

Contact with others who have had immunisations 

You can be in contact with other people who have had live vaccines as injections. If someone has had a live vaccine by mouth or nasal spray there may be a small risk the vaccine virus can be passed onto you if your ​immune system​ is weakened.

Your healthcare team will let you know if you need to take any precautions if you are in close contact with someone who has had a live vaccine.

Read more about immunisations and cancer treatment