Bleomycin
Say it: blee-oh-MY-sin
Bleomycin is a chemotherapy medicine that breaks the genes of cancer cells so they die.
What it is
Bleomycin is an antibiotic made by bacteria, but it is used to treat cancer, not infections. It cuts the genetic code (DNA) of cancer cells. The damaged cells cannot grow and die.
Often used for
- testicular cancer
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- squamous cell cancers of the head and neck, skin, and cervix
- fluid around the lungs caused by cancer
How you get it
Bleomycin can be given through a vein (IV), as a shot into a muscle or under the skin, or into the space around the lungs. It is often given once a week or every few weeks with other chemotherapy. Your schedule may be different.
Common side effects and what helps
- Fever and chills on the day of treatment. Your team may give medicine to help.
- Darker skin, skin thickening, or dark skin lines. Protect your skin from the sun.
- Nail changes. Keep nails short and clean.
- Mouth sores. Rinse often with a mild salt water or baking soda rinse.
- Hair thinning. Use a gentle shampoo.
- Not feeling hungry or losing weight. Eat small snacks during the day.
Call your care team right away if you have
- A new or worse cough
- Shortness of breath, even with light activity
- Fever, chills, confusion, or wheezing during or soon after a dose
- A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher
- Chest pain
Before you start, tell your team
- If you have lung problems or smoke
- If you have kidney problems
- If you have had radiation to the chest
- If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
- If you are going to have surgery. Tell every doctor you have had bleomycin.
Good to know
- It can scar the lungs. You may have breathing tests and chest x-rays during treatment.
- Lung risk is higher in people over 70, people with kidney problems, and people who get a lot of the medicine.
- Breathing high levels of oxygen can harm the lungs after bleomycin. Tell any surgeon or anesthesia doctor you have had it, even years later.
- People with lymphoma may get a small test dose first, because a bad reaction can happen.
Questions to ask
- Will I need breathing tests?
- What should I do if I start to cough?
- Should I carry a card that says I had bleomycin?
- How will I get this medicine, and how often?
Part of these treatment plans
Side effect guides
Sources
Quick answers
- What is Bleomycin?
- Bleomycin is a chemotherapy medicine that breaks the genes of cancer cells so they die.
- What is Bleomycin used for?
- testicular cancer; Hodgkin lymphoma; non-Hodgkin lymphoma; squamous cell cancers of the head and neck, skin, and cervix; fluid around the lungs caused by cancer.
- How is Bleomycin given?
- Bleomycin can be given through a vein (IV), as a shot into a muscle or under the skin, or into the space around the lungs. It is often given once a week or every few weeks with other chemotherapy. Your schedule may be different.
- What are the common side effects of Bleomycin?
- Fever and chills on the day of treatment. Darker skin, skin thickening, or dark skin lines. Nail changes. Mouth sores. Hair thinning. Not feeling hungry or losing weight.
- When should I call my care team while taking Bleomycin?
- A new or worse cough; Shortness of breath, even with light activity; Fever, chills, confusion, or wheezing during or soon after a dose; A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher; Chest pain.
- Which chemotherapy plans include Bleomycin?
- ABVD, BEP.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.