What Is Remission in Cancer? Complete Remission, After Remission and Not in Remission

Remission means that the signs and symptoms of cancer are decreasing. This decrease may be partial or complete. In complete cancer remission, all signs and symptoms of the disease disappear.

What Is Remission?

For a person with cancer, being in remission describes a period when treatment is working and the disease is under control. Remission can last for weeks or years, both during and after treatment.

For a person with cancer to be in remission, the number or severity of symptoms must decrease.

Entering remission does not always mean a person has been cured of cancer. It means treatment has left no signs or symptoms of disease in the body; in other words, oncological imaging methods show no tumour or tumours. Cancer can recur because cancer cells may still remain in the body.

After Remission

When a person starts cancer treatment, specialists need to check how they respond. If partial remission is achieved, the oncology team may need to adjust treatment to help the person reach complete remission.

Even after complete remission, patients need regular follow-up appointments. These visits check for any signs suggesting that additional treatment is needed.

During the first 2-3 years after treatment, follow-up is generally needed every 3-4 months. In later years, visits are usually recommended only once or twice a year.

These visits may include cancer tests the person has undergone previously, such as a physical examination, blood tests and imaging. Patients should also mention any emotional or physical problems during follow-up, including any new or ongoing symptoms. Having symptoms certainly does not mean the cancer has returned.

At follow-up visits, tell your doctor about:

• Any new medicines or supplements you are taking
• Any physical concerns that may interfere with daily life
• Changes in your family medical history
• Depression or anxiety symptoms

Cancer treatment can also cause adverse effects that appear months or years later. These are called late effects. Because they depend on the treatment received, specialists should advise patients about late effects to watch for during follow-up. Patients should also tell their doctor if they experience any late effects.

What Does Cancer Recurrence Mean?

Recurrence means cancer returns after complete remission. When cancer recurs, this most often happens within the first five years, although it can also return many years later. It may recur where it originally started or elsewhere in the body.

Specialists will perform tests to determine whether a recurrent cancer is the same as the previous cancer or whether a new type has developed.

Does Cancer Always Recur After Remission?

Cancer certainly does not always recur; recurrence is, in fact, uncommon after periods longer than 2 years. It is not possible to predict exactly how likely your disease is to return. However, rapidly growing, advanced-stage or spreading cancers are more likely to recur. Even if recurrence occurs, treatment may bring the person back into complete remission.

Oncology teams can tell patients which signs may indicate recurrence. Each cancer type grows and recurs at different rates. Specialists will therefore advise patients on the follow-up schedule most appropriate for them.

Summary

Remission means that a person’s cancer signs and symptoms have decreased.

Patients may enter partial or complete remission. Partial remission means the cancer and its symptoms remain present but are under control. Complete remission means tests can no longer detect disease in the body and signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared.

Being in remission does not always mean a person is cured, because cancer can recur. However, if it does return, further treatment may help the person achieve complete remission.