Radioimmunotherapy in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

When the body detects something that can cause disease, like a virus or bacteria or a cancer cell, the immune system sends out specific cells to try to destroy the invader. Antibodies connect to harmful molecules. The antibodies act as flags for other immune system cells to attack the harmful molecule. Monoclonal antibodies are made in a lab and are engineered to attach to very specific targets on cancer cells. On some monoclonal antibodies, tiny particles of radiation can be attached. When this radiation-enhanced monoclonal antibody enters the body, it seeks out and links to its target to deliver the radiation. This treatment is known as radioimmunotherapy. This policy describes when radioimmunotherapy may be considered medically necessary.