Severe bladder contracture leading to cystectomy after intravesical mitoxantrone chemotherapy

Since the early 1990s, mitoxantrone has been used as a chemotherapeutic agent for adjuvant intravesical treatment following transurethral resection of superficial transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder. Although its efficacy as adjuvant intravesical therapy remains questionable and its use has not gained wide acceptance, the safety profile of the drug has been reported as favorable. We report the first case of mitoxantrone-induced severe bladder contracture leading to a completely nonfunctional bladder after intravesical administration of the drug. Cystectomy and urinary diversion were the final consequences for the patient.