Remission
Also known as: CR, complete response, partial response
A reduction or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer after treatment.
Definition
Remission means the signs and symptoms of cancer have decreased or disappeared. Complete remission means no cancer can be detected by examination, blood tests or imaging; partial remission means the tumour has shrunk significantly but is still detectable.
Remission is not the same as cure. Microscopic cancer cells may still be present, which is why follow-up visits continue for years after treatment, and why adjuvant or maintenance therapy is sometimes used. The longer a patient stays in complete remission, the lower the chance of recurrence.
See also
- Recurrence — The return of cancer after a period of being undetectable.
- Adjuvant Therapy — Additional treatment given after surgery to lower the risk of cancer coming back.
- Prognosis — A doctor's best estimate of how a cancer is likely to behave and respond to treatment.
- Palliative Care — Specialist care focused on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life at any stage of cancer.
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Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rehan Abdullah
Dr. Rehan Abdullah is a dual-trained clinical and radiation oncologist with over a decade of experience treating both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. He serves as Consultant Oncologist at INMOL Hospital and sees patients at Farooq Hospital and Healthnox Medical Center, Lahore. Read full profile →
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