Price N M, Hoppe R T, Constantine V S, Fuks Z Y, Farber E M
Cancer. 1977 Dec;40(6):2851-3. doi: 10.1002/1097-0142(197712)40:6<2851::aid-cncr2820400615>3.0.co;2-x.
The feasibility of employing adjuvant topical mechlorethamine after electron beam therapy in the treatment of patients with mycosis fungoides is demonstrated. Patients treated with a planned adjuvant topical mechlorethamine schedule had a median disease-free interval of 25 months compared to 17 months for the group treated with electron beam therapy alone. Projected relapse-free survivals are slightly better in the adjuvant group--37% versus 29%. Patients receiving adjuvant topical mechlorethamine after the electron beam were observed to have a low incidence of contact allergy to the medication. The topical medication can be continued if a contact allergy develops by using a planned desensitization program. We currently treat all mycosis fungoides patients with electron beam therapy, randomizing half to receive adjuvant topical mechlorethamine.
