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What does complete remission mean?
Is cancer remission complete or partial?
When is cancer in remission?
Is remission the same as cancer-free?
How is cancer remission determined?
Nov 23, 2023 · Complete remission means that tests, physical exams, and scans show that all signs of your cancer are gone. Some doctors also refer to complete remission as “no evidence of disease,” or NED.
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Cancer remission is when the signs and symptoms of cancer have lessened or are undetectable. Being in remission is not the same as being cancer free.
In blood-related cancers like leukemia, this means you’ll have a decrease in the number of cancer cells. For solid tumors, it means that the tumor size has decreased. The decrease must last for at least 1 month to be considered remission.
Types of cancer remission
There are different types of remission:
•Partial. A reduction of at least 50 percent in measurable tumor size or cancer cells.
•Complete. All detectable evidence of cancer is gone.
Cancer remission is determined by blood tests, imaging tests, or a biopsy, depending on the type of cancer.
During treatment, your cancer will be closely monitored so your doctor will be able to see any reduction in cancer signs. This reduction has to last for at least a month for your cancer to be considered in remission.
Because there are still cancer cells in your body even when you’re in remission, you might have treatment during remission. This reduces the risk that the remaining cancer cells will start growing again.
Whether or not you have treatment during remission, you’ll be watched closely to make sure your cancer doesn’t become active again.
The most common type of treatment during remission is maintenance chemotherapy. This is chemo that’s given regularly to stop the cancer from spreading.
Maintenance therapy shouldn‘t make you feel worse. If you find that the side effects start to become too much for you, talk with your doctor. They may take you off maintenance therapy.
For some people, cancer remission can last a lifetime. Others may have their cancer come back, which is called a recurrence.
Types of cancer recurrence
•Local. The cancer comes back in the place it was originally found.
•Regional. The cancer comes back in lymph nodes and tissues near the original cancer site.
•Distant. The cancer comes back in other places throughout the body (metastasized).
The chance of recurrence depends on many things, including the type of cancer you had, what stage the cancer was found in, and your overall health.
Cancer remission doesn’t mean your cancer is cured, but it is an important milestone. In some cases, your cancer may never come back. In others, it may recur.
Even in remission, it’s important to follow all of your doctor’s instructions and monitor any potential cancer symptoms closely.
Feb 6, 2023 · Remission in Cancer. Remission in cancer happens when cancer treatment reduces or eliminates the amount of cancer in your body. It can be complete remission, meaning there isn’t any sign of cancer; or partial remission, meaning cancer has decreased or stopped growing. Remission from cancer may last for months or years.
Dec 2, 2018 · Cancer remissions are often classified as either “partial” or “complete.”. A partial remission or partial response signifies a reduction of at least 30% of a measurable tumor within the body. By contrast, a complete remission or complete response indicates all detectable evidence of cancer is gone. Not every patient will be told they ...
Feb 17, 2023 · Recurrence. Contacting a doctor. Summary. Remission means that the signs and symptoms of cancer have reduced, either partially or completely. Complete remission is when all the signs and symptoms ...
Feb 10, 2023 · If a cancer returns after it has been in remission, it is defined as a recurrence or relapse of that cancer. Tumors in remission may: Stay in remission indefinitely. Recur and go back into remission in cycles. Progress (grow) or spread: The term progressive disease means that a tumor has increased in size or has spread to other regions of the body.
Sep 29, 2023 · Remission of cancer means a decrease or disappearance of cancer symptoms after different types of treatments such as surgery or chemotherapy. The definition can be slightly different depending on the type of cancer in question. In cases of solid tumors (such as lung cancer or breast cancer), remission means the tumor has shrunk significantly or ...
