Intermediate
Technical
IVT
intravesical
Route of drug administration directly into the bladder through a catheter.
Full Definition
Describing the delivery of therapeutic agents directly into the bladder cavity via urethral catheterization, bypassing systemic circulation. This route is commonly used for bladder cancer treatment with chemotherapy agents like mitomycin C or immunotherapy with BCG. Intravesical administration allows high local drug concentrations while minimizing systemic side effects, making it ideal for treating superficial bladder cancers.
Usage
Usage note: One word, not hyphenated unless used as compound adjective before a noun.
In Context
- "Intravesical chemotherapy was administered weekly for six weeks." — Treatment protocol
- "The patient experienced minimal side effects from intravesical BCG instillation." — Progress note
Also known as
intra-bladder
Contrasted with
systemic
intravenous
Don't confuse with
intrathecal
intraperitoneal