Info
Remission
The reduction or disappearance of the signs of cancer in response to treatment. Complete remission = there is no longer any evidence of disease on tests. Partial remission = the tumor has shrunk significantly.
What it means
The reduction or disappearance of the signs of cancer in response to treatment. Complete remission means that all signs have gone. Partial remission means that the tumor has shrunk significantly. It can be temporary or long-lasting.
In short
The reduction or disappearance of the signs of cancer in response to treatment. Complete remission = there is no longer any evidence of disease on tests. Partial remission = the tumor has shrunk significantly.
Where you will see it
Assessed through imaging, tumor markers and clinical examination, usually after each cycle or at the end of treatment.
What it does not tell you on its own
Complete remission does not necessarily mean a cure — cancer cells may persist microscopically. Ongoing monitoring is needed.
Questions for your doctor
- What type of remission have I achieved?
- Does complete remission mean I am cured?
- How long do I need to continue treatment?
- What monitoring is recommended?
Related terms
The terms below often appear alongside this one. Each definition is right here, so you do not have to look elsewhere.
- Recurrence
- The return of the disease after a period in which the cancer was absent or controlled. Recurrence can appear locally, regionally or at a distance, and it is one of the reasons why oncological monitoring remains important after treatment.
- Prognosis
- An estimate of the likely course of the disease. It depends on the type of cancer, the stage and the response to treatment.
- Cancer cure
- The situation in which the cancer can no longer be detected on tests and does not come back over the following years. The word 'cure' is used cautiously in oncology, because some cancer cells can persist silently for many years. Doctors prefer to speak of complete remission.
Other terms in “Treatment”
Glossary definitions are written for patients by the OncoDots team and go through internal medical review. They explain terms; they do not establish a diagnosis and do not recommend a treatment.