title: Topical carmustine (BCNU) for cutaneous T cell lymphoma: a 15-year experience in 143 patients.
abstract: One hundred forty-three patients with cutaneous T cell lymphoma were treated with topical carmustine (BCNU). A complete response was obtained in 86% of those with limited extent (less than 10%) plaques (T1 stage), in 48% of those with extensive (greater than or equal to 10%) plaques (T2 stage), and in 21% of those with erythroderma. The median time to achieve complete response was 11.5 weeks. Favorable results were obtained in patients with less than 5% involvement treated locally. Mild hematopoietic depression occurred in less than 10% of patients. Erythematous reactions were common, but no secondary cutaneous malignancies occurred. Differences in freedom from relapse or in survival between T2-stage patients with and those without clinical adenopathy were not statistically significant. The 5-year overall survival rate was 77%; the median survival time was 9.4 years.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco.
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Zackheim
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Epstein
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Crain
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002330:Carmustine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D013601:T-Lymphocytes
chemical_list: D002330:Carmustine