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ABOUT RADIOIMMUNOTHERAPY
Introduction
The information contained in this section about RIT was written entirely by Betsy de Parry and is intended to inform you about the treatment. It may or may not be appropriate for you. Only an oncologist who is experienced in RIT and who knows your particular circumstances can make that determination. You and your oncologist should discuss your treatment options, weigh the risks and benefits, and together, and decide what’s best for you.
There are two approved RIT drugs, Bexxar and Zevalin, for treatment of low-grade lymphoma, which occurs in approximately 40% of the lymphoma population. They are also approved for patients with “transformed” lymphoma, where the initial low-grade disease has subsequently transformed to a more aggressive type.
For patients who qualify, RIT is an effective treatment which offers a short and convenient treatment time of approximately one week. It is well tolerated, causes few side effects, and often produces remission periods measured in years.
However, since its approval in 2002, less than 10% of patients who might benefit from RIT have actually gotten it for reasons that have nothing to do with its effectiveness. They are discussed in the section on underutilization.
You’ll find a wealth of information about RIT on the following pages with links to studies, articles and reports. Happy reading!
