TRIETHYLENE MELAMINE IN THE TREATMENT OF NEOPLASTIC DISEASE

THE NITROGEN mustards were introduced into medical practice in 1946 for the palliative treatment of the lymphomas, leukemias and other types of neoplastic disease.¹The most commonly administered nitrogen mustard is methyl-<i>bis</i>(2-chloroethyl) amine hydrochloride (HN2), and, since 1946, much experience has been gained from its use throughout the world.²This nitrogen mustard has found a useful place as a temporary palliative agent in the management of certain types and stages of neoplastic disease. It must be injected intravenously, and it frequently produces severe nausea and vomiting; consequently, its administration, in most cases, has been regarded as a hospital procedure. Extravasation of the injected solution will produce a prolonged and painful local reaction, and, in patients receiving repeated courses of treatment, venous thromboses and difficulty in finding suitable veins for injection may occur. The dosage must be carefully controlled, since an excessive dose will produce serious, prolonged