Long-term topical nitrogen mustard treatment does not induce pulmonary fibrosis in MF patients

Eleven patients with mycosis fungoides had X-ray examinations of their lungs before, during and after topical treatment with mechlorethamine. The mean number of treatments was 163, ranging from 28 to 300 treatments within a period of 1 to 13 years (mean 7.8 years). Each exposure to the skin of mechlorethamine was between 20 and 40 mg giving a cumulative dosage in the range from 1.120 mg to a maximum of 12.000 mg. We looked for potential lung damage from mechlorethamine vapours, such as fibrosis of the lungs, but found none. Thus, we conclude that topical treatment with mechlorethamine of patients with mycosis fungoides is not only an effective treatment, but also a safe therapy.