Has anyone needed to repeat 4 cycles of Rituxan for splenic marginal zone lymphoma when their spleen didn't shrink?
While the search results don't include specific experiences from members about repeating Rituxan cycles due to an enlarged spleen not shrinking, this is a situation that can occur with splenic marginal zone Show Full Answer
Has anyone needed to repeat 4 cycles of Rituxan for splenic marginal zone lymphoma when their spleen didn't shrink?
While the search results don't include specific experiences from members about repeating Rituxan cycles due to an enlarged spleen not shrinking, this is a situation that can occur with splenic marginal zone lymphoma treatment.
Rituximab (Rituxan) is commonly used as a first-line targeted therapy for SMZL. It's designed to attack B cells while leaving normal cells largely unaffected, which is why many doctors prefer it over chemotherapy due to fewer side effects.
If Rituxan alone doesn't achieve the desired response, doctors have several options:
* Combining Rituxan with chemotherapy drugs like bendamustine
* Considering a splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen) if medications aren't working
* Trying different chemotherapy combinations
It's worth noting that even when the spleen shrinks, SMZL typically spreads to the bone marrow, so complete removal of all lymphoma cells is challenging. Treatment responses can vary from person to person.
If your spleen hasn't responded as expected to the initial Rituxan cycles, it's important to discuss next steps with your healthcare team. They can evaluate whether repeating treatment, adjusting the approach, or considering alternative options would be most beneficial for your specific situation.
February 5
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