The short answer
Remission means the signs and symptoms of cancer have decreased or disappeared. Recurrence means cancer has come back after a period of not being detected. Follow-up care watches for recurrence and helps manage health after treatment.
Remission means the signs and symptoms of cancer have decreased or gone away.
A complete remission means no cancer can be detected; a partial remission means it has shrunk.
Remission is not always the same as cure, though a long remission can mean cure.
Recurrence means cancer has come back after not being detected for a time.
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The full explanation.
The simple version
After treatment, two words come up a lot: remission and recurrence. Remission means the cancer has decreased or disappeared. Recurrence means it has come back. Understanding both helps make sense of follow-up care.
What remission means
Remission comes in two forms. A complete remission means no cancer can be found on tests. A partial remission means the cancer has shrunk but is still there. Remission is good news, though it is not always the same as cure.
Complete remission means no cancer can be detected; partial means it has shrunk.
What recurrence means
Recurrence means cancer has come back after a period when it could not be detected. It can return in the same place, nearby, or in a distant part of the body. The chance of recurrence depends on the type and stage of the original cancer.
Why follow-up matters
Follow-up care watches for recurrence, manages any late effects of treatment, and supports overall health. A survivorship care plan lays out which check-ups and tests you need and when.
Words to know
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Common questions
▸What does remission mean?
Remission means the signs and symptoms of cancer have decreased or disappeared. In a complete remission, no cancer can be found on tests; in a partial remission, the cancer has shrunk but is still there.
▸Is remission the same as cure?
Not exactly. Remission means the cancer is not detectable or has shrunk; cure means it is gone and will not come back. A long remission may mean the cancer is cured, but doctors often watch for a time before using the word cure.
▸What is recurrence?
Recurrence means cancer has come back after a period when it could not be detected. It can return in the same place, nearby, or in another part of the body.
▸Why is follow-up care important?
Follow-up care checks for recurrence, manages any late effects of treatment, and supports overall health. A survivorship care plan lays out the schedule.
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