Chemotherapy for Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

Chemotherapy (also called chemo) uses drugs to destroy or damage fast-growing cells like cancer cells. It is used to shrink tumors, slow cancer’s growth, relieve symptoms, or help people live longer. Chemotherapy drugs are given in different ways (intravenously, orally by a pill, or by injection). 

These are the latest chemotherapy drugs that are approved to treat non-muscle invasive bladder cancer. New treatments become available all the time, so this may not be a complete list.

Please note: The side effects listed here do not represent a comprehensive list. It's important to discuss all potential side effects of a drug with your healthcare team. Be sure to tell your healthcare team about any side effects you do have.

All Available Treatments

Treatment Type

Antitumor Antibiotic

Drug Name
Mutamycin® (mitomycin)
Important Things to Know
  • This medication is given as intravesical treatment (put directly into the bladder using a catheter).
  • This treatment is typically given once, within 24 hours of the TURBT (transurethral resection of bladder tumor).
  • This treatment may cause bladder irritation.

Treatment Type

Antimetabolite

Drug Name
Gemzar® (gemcitabine)
Important Things to Know
  • This medication is given as intravesical treatment (put directly into the bladder using a catheter).
  • This treatment is typically given once, within 24 hours of the TURBT (transurethral resection of bladder tumor).
  • This treatment may cause bladder irritation.

Treatment Type

Antineoplastic

Drug Name
Valstar® (valrubicin)
Important Things to Know
  • This medication is given as intravesical treatment (put directly into the bladder using a catheter).
  • This treatment is typically given if the cancer does not respond to BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guerin) treatment and surgery is not an option.
  • Potential side effects include frequent, urgent, or painful urination.