CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH NITROGEN MUSTARD THERAPY

Abstract

RECENT reports of results obtained with the use of nitrogen mustard derivatives have aroused much speculation regarding the efficacy of chemotherapy in certain malignant neoplastic diseases. The Veterans Administration Hospital, West Los Angeles, Calif., has been designated as a center for the treatment of tumors. This provided a relatively large number of patients who had leukemias and lymphomas, and it was decided to evaluate the effects of nitrogen mustard therapy on a suitable group. METHOD AND RESULTS Method. —The routine study included a search for enlarged lymph nodes, examination of the liver and spleen, complete blood count, sternal puncture, roentgenologic study of the chest and biopsy. The patient was then presented to the members of a Tumor Board, who selected the type of therapy to be used in each instance. In those patients for whom the nitrogen mustard treatment was recommended, the bis form of the drug was administered intravenously,