Cancer Medications - Specialty Pharmacy

Compounded Topical Chemotherapy for Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) is a term that was created in 1979 to describe a group of lymphomas generally confined to the skin. When the term was first coined, it most often referred to mycosis fungoides or Sézary syndrome, the most common CTCL. More recently, however, the many lymphomas that comprise the CTCLs have been noted to differ widely in disease course, appearance, and in some cases response to treatment. The skin is the second most common site for lymphoma; gastrointestinal sites are first. Of all primary skin lymphomas, 65% are of the T-cell type.

Treatment options for CTCLs are very individualized often based on the stage of the disease. Many patients receive topical, or skin directed therapies. These include topical chemotherapy (nitrogen mustard, carmustine), as well as topical steroids and retinoids. Your oncologist or dermatologist will determine when this type of therapy is appropriate.

Topical chemotherapies must be compounded into an ointment by a compounding pharmacist. The Apothecary Shops can provide nitrogen mustard (mechlorethamine) or carmustine compounded into a topical ointment using Aquaphor as the base. This type of therapy may be used alone or in combination with other treatments. Not all patients are candidates for topical chemotherapy, some may require systemic treatment.

If you have been prescribed topical nitrogen mustard or carmustine please feel free to contact us for additional information on how to fill your prescription. If you would like further information on Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma please visit the Cutaneous Lymphoma Foundation’s web site at www.clfoundation.org.