Distant and delayed mitomycin C extravasation

Mitomycin C is a vesicant chemotherapeutic agent used to treat solid tumors. Its ability to cause delayed and remote tissue injury after intravenous administration is reported in the literature. Two cases of delayed and distant mitomycin C extravasation injury occurred in our institution. In both patients, no evidence of acute extravasation was visible during or immediately after administration. Within 48 hours, one patient reported erythema, burning, and pain in the hand contralateral to the administration site. The second patient developed three distinct ulcerated lesions on her forearm within 6 weeks of receiving the agent. The lesions, located at sites of venipunctures, occurred 12-15 cm proximal to the site of mitomycin infusion. Because the drug has the potential to cause such unusual and unanticipated tissue injuries, health care professionals and patients should be aware of this hazard.