The short answer
"Remission" means the signs and symptoms of cancer have decreased or disappeared. It comes in two forms: complete remission (no detectable cancer) and partial remission (the cancer shrank but is still detectable). "No evidence of disease" (NED) lines up with complete remission — nothing detectable now. Neither term means "cured," and follow-up continues either way.
Complete remission and NED both mean no detectable cancer right now.
Partial remission means the cancer shrank but is still detectable.
Neither term is the same as "cured."
Follow-up continues to catch any change early.
Choose how you want to understand this
The full explanation.
The short version
These terms all describe how much cancer is left after treatment, and they overlap:
- Complete remission — no detectable cancer.
- No evidence of disease (NED) — no detectable cancer; lines up with complete remission.
- Partial remission — the cancer shrank meaningfully but is still detectable.
Side by side
| Term | Cancer detectable? | Roughly means |
|---|---|---|
| Complete remission | No | Nothing shows on current tests |
| No evidence of disease | No | Same idea, different phrase |
| Partial remission | Yes, but less | Good shrinkage, still present |
When each is used
Different cancers and doctors favor different phrasing. Blood cancers often use "remission"; solid tumors and scans often use "no evidence of disease." Partial remission is used when treatment is working but hasn't cleared everything.
The key thing they share
None of these means "cured." Cure is something doctors grow confident about over time. All of them come with continued follow-up.
A common misunderstanding
Hearing "partial remission" can feel discouraging, but it often reflects a real, useful response to treatment. Ask your team what your specific result means for the plan ahead.
Words to know
Tap any term to see what it means.
Common questions
▸Is complete remission the same as NED?
Effectively yes — both mean no cancer can be detected with current tests. Different doctors and cancer types favor one phrase or the other, but the meaning overlaps closely.
▸What does partial remission mean for me?
It means treatment shrank the cancer meaningfully, but some is still detectable. That can still be a good response and may guide whether to continue, change, or add treatment. Your oncologist can explain what it means in your case.
Questions to ask your doctor
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Your next step
Plain-language definitions for both sides of the comparison.
How this page was created
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