Cyclophosphamide-associated carcinoma of urothelium: modalities for prevention

The relationship between the cyclophosphamide metabolite acrolein and hemorrhagic cystitis is well documented. Its role in inducing bladder cancer is not clear. There are at least 35 cases of cyclophosphamide-associated bladder cancer in the literature to date. We report 3 additional cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Literature assessing the relative risk of bladder cancer associated with cyclophosphamide therapy is reviewed as are methods for decreasing the toxic effects on the urothelium of the metabolite acrolein.