Excuses, Excuses
Mort and I have written extensively about the excuses that are often given for not using radioimmunotherapy, but I recently heard something that was just plain mean. A patient's oncologist recommended a bone marrow transplant and a match was found. The patient wanted to avoid this risky, months-long procedure if at all possible and continually asked his oncologist, to no avail, about radioimmunotherapy.
The patient finally asked the transplant doctor about RIT and was told by that doctor, "You're a perfect candidate for RIT, but I'll have you back here in no less than 2 years." How does any doctor know that? There is not a single study that proves RIT stops working within 2 years. On the contrary, all the studies indicate that RIT is the most effective treatment available. In my book, that doctor's statement was downright mean. No one has the right to snatch hope from a patient, particularly when there is no evidence to back up his words.
Shortly before the patient was to be admitted for the transplant, he changed doctors and is now scheduled to receive Bexxar at the end of this month. He is extremely relieved to be facing a one week treatment instead of one that is high risk and requires months, but it was only because he persisted that he avoided the transplant.
It is extremely unfortunate that we patients must be our own best advocates, but that is the system with which we must live. If you are hearing excuses about RIT and think you may be a candidate for it, you may very well have to find another doctor, just as the patient in this story did.
Betsy
Comments
Betsy,
My story is identical to your blog written on 4/19/07. Excuses. If you changed the name to mine it would fit perfectly. Had MUD donor, fighting for RIT, did agree but made same sort of statement that I will be back within yrs for SCT.
Posted by: Ted Fett | April 20, 2007 4:43 PM