OUTCOME OF 259 PATIENTS WITH PRIMARY PROLIFERATIVE POLYCYTHEMIA (PPP)AND IDIOPATHIC THROMBOCYTHEMIA (IT) TREATED IN A REGIONAL NUCLEAR-MEDICINE DEPARTMENT WITH P-32 - A 15-YEAR REVIEW

259 patients with primary proliferative polycythaemia (PPP) and idiopa thic thrombocythaemia (IT) have been treated with P-32 over the last 1 5 years. Complete follow-up data were obtained in 238 patients. PPP wa s the diagnosis in 183 patients and 76 patients had IT. The sex ratio in PPP was male/female 1.1:1 and in IT 1:1.4. Patients' ages ranged fr om 28 to 95 years (median 72 years). The number of P-32 administration s per patient ranged from 1 to 13 (median 2) and the total administere d activity per patient ranged from 81.4 to 4162 MBq (median 496 MBq). The outcome showed a normalization of the full blood count in 50% of p atients after a single administration of P-32 and in 73% after two tre atments. 13 patients (5.5%) developed myelofibrosis; 18 (7.6%) develop ed leukaemia while other cancers arose in 19 patients (8%). P-32 thera py proved to be of particular value in the elderly. P-32 is easy to ad minister and is cost effective, compared with the alternative of chemo therapy where good compliance and frequent hospital visits are require d.