Cancer Remission Definition: What Does It Mean to Be in Cancer Remission?

If you or a loved one has ever battled cancer, the term “remission” inspires hope and relief. After challenging drug therapy or radiation treatments, it’s what every patient hopes to hear from their doctor.

The good news: being in remission indicates a measurable improvement of your cancer diagnosis. Some signs of remission are diminishing tumors, improving symptoms, or less cancer in your body overall. Generally, remission means that you can reduce or stop your treatment, at least temporarily.

Unfortunately, as anyone who has fought cancer knows, cancer care is rarely as clear-cut as we’d like it to be. Remission is more complicated than simply being done with treatment.

So, what does remission really mean?

There are two types of remission: partial and complete. While complete remission is the ultimate goal, many people live healthy lives in partial remission. 

Remission is determined by a variety of tests including X-rays, MRI scans, blood tests, and biopsies. The specific method used depends on the type of cancer you have. Your doctor uses these images to show the tumor size and whether it’s growing or shrinking.

Decreasing signs of cancer lasting for at least one month indicates that you are in remission. This could present as a shrinking tumor or decreasing number of cancer cells in the blood. In complete remission, no signs of cancer will show up in medical tests.

Remission is achieved by developing an effective treatment plan with your doctor. The specific strategy depends on the type of cancer and individual’s health. Possible treatments include radiation, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery, hormone therapy, and stem cell therapy. Your doctor will help you determine the right method for eliminating cancer cells, shrinking tumors, and reducing symptoms. 

In order to stay in remission, regular checkups help make sure that the cancer isn’t active again. You may require lower dose treatments to keep cancerous cells or tumors from coming back. It is also important to follow a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of recurrence. Talk to your Charlotte cancer doctor about what level of care is right for you during remission.

Remission is a good sign but doesn’t mean that the cancer is gone forever. It is more complicated than being permanently done with treatment because there is no way for doctors to know if all cancer cells are gone. Even in complete remission, there is a chance that cancer will come back.

The term “cured” is only used when the patient is in complete remission for five years or longer. Since certain cancers can return even after this five-year mark, some patients are never truly considered cured.

Because remission is not a cure, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions and monitor symptoms. In some cases, cancer may never come back. In other cases, tumors and cancer cells may recur and require further treatment.

Certain types of cancer may never completely go away. In these cases, it may be helpful to think of cancer as an ongoing health condition that requires regular care over time, such as diabetes or heart disease.

Due to the cyclical nature of some cancers, patients in remission must undergo regular check-ups to ensure that the cancer is not progressing again. This screening is accomplished through blood tests, physical exams, and imaging. If cancer does begin to grow again, your doctor will work with you to plan a new treatment strategy.

During remission, maintenance therapy is used to keep cancer at bay. Most commonly, smaller doses of chemotherapy stop any remaining cancer cells from spreading further. Patients might need to continue medication for weeks or years to stay in remission. You will continue to see your doctor for regular appointments to monitor cancer progression and evaluate treatment.

Even when a cancer patient enters remission, there is still a chance that the cancer will come back. This is called cancer recurrence and happens when a small number of cancer cells survive treatment but are not detected during blood tests or imaging scans. Over time, these cells grow and multiply.

When the disease returns after months or even years of living cancer-free, many patients feel disappointed, helpless, and angry. They may wonder “Why me?” or “What did I do wrong?” These recurrent cancers often form cancerous lesions that can be harder to treat than primary tumors.

Importantly, recurrent cancer is different from a second cancer, which is a new cancer unrelated to any previous diagnosis.

There are three types of recurrent cancer:

Local recurrence means the cancer has returned to the same area as the original tumor.

Regional recurrence means the cancerous lesion has spread to lymph nodes or tissues near the original tumor.

Distant recurrence means the cancer has spread throughout the body. This is also referred to as metastatic cancer.

Some cancers, such as ovarian or gynecologic cancers, are prone to cycles of remission and recurrence. Recurrence is when cancer begins to progress again after a period of remission. Cancer can recur in the area of original diagnosis or in a separate part of the body.

It’s easy to let fear of cancer recurrence dominate your life. Many survivors worry about every headache or digestive issue. While occasional unexplained aches and pains are normal, persistent symptoms should be reported to your doctor.

The warning signs of cancer recurrence vary depending on the original cancer type. If a patient had breast cancer, they may notice a new lump in their breast tissue. However, some patients—particularly those with regional or distant recurrence—may only experience nonspecific symptoms like:

• Return of the original cancer symptoms (such as a new growth where your cancer started)
• Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
• New or unusual pain
• Easy bleeding or bruising
• Chills or fevers
• Frequent headaches
• Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite
• A persistent cough

After a physical exam, your doctor may order blood tests or imaging tests. If these suggest cancer has returned, your oncologist may recommend a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis and develop an appropriate cancer treatment plan.

What is the probability that your cancer will return? That depends on many different factors, including:

How your care team treats your cancer depends on a number of factors, including:

• Type of cancer
• When and where it recurs
• If it has metastasized
• Your health
• Your goals and values

Sometimes, your oncologist may suggest the same treatment you received previously. For instance, a patient who previously had surgery to remove a cancerous polyp in their colon may have a second surgery. This procedure may be followed by radiotherapy, a localized treatment used to kill any remaining cancer cells.

But if a patient previously received a more aggressive treatment such as chemotherapy, the oncologist may suggest a different approach. Cancer cells can become resistant to chemotherapy drugs. These drugs are also very hard on the body and can cause serious issues like heart and vascular problems.

As your doctor explains different care options, remember that you ultimately choose your cancer treatment. Only you can decide if you want to move forward with treatment or if you would rather seek palliative care to improve your quality of life.

At SERO, our radiation oncologists improve patient outcomes by providing the most effective and advanced radiotherapy techniques for treating recurrent cancer.

After finishing treatment, most cancer survivors desire a return to normalcy. Unfortunately, lingering side effects from cancer or aggressive cancer treatment modalities can make normalcy hard to achieve. These symptoms range from cognition problems to infertility. They may be temporary or they may persist for years.

SERO’s radiation oncologists suggest that cancer survivors educate themselves on the radiation therapy side effects they may experience and how to effectively manage these side effects. They also emphasize the necessity of follow-up care, or regular medical checkups for the first two to three years after treatment.

Cancer care does not end once active treatment is finished. In most cases, a patient’s cancer care team will create a follow-up plan that calls for regular medical checkups every three to four months for the first two to three years after treatment. During these appointments, your doctor may order specific blood tests or imaging tests like CT scans and MRIs.

Using these tools, doctors can monitor your recovery and help manage the lingering side effects of your cancer and cancer treatment. Your medical care team will also be checking for cancer recurrence and second cancers.

Many people experience side effects during cancer treatment. Long-term side effects can develop months or years after treatment. Usually, these are uncommon and depend primarily on the location of the body receiving treatment as well as the dose of radiation.

Common long-term and latent side effects of cancer treatment include:

The most common symptom experienced by cancer survivors is fatigue. One study even found that upwards of 99 percent of breast cancer survivors experience fatigue, in some cases for several years after treatment.

Fatigue is characterized by a deep, chronic emotional and physical exhaustion; it is more than just being tired.

Though fatigue after cancer treatment is not fully understood, scientists assume it is caused by chronic inflammation and autonomic dysfunction (trouble regulating body functions like blood pressure and heart rate). Fatigue may also be caused by pain, emotional distress, anemia, and sleep disturbances like restless leg syndrome.

Tip: While it may seem counterintuitive, exercising is the best way to address fatigue experienced after cancer treatment.

If you notice an uptick in cavities after cancer treatment, you are not alone. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy, especially to the head and neck, can change your saliva. Though saliva may seem inconsequential, it actually contains antimicrobial agents which kill disease-causing bacteria. Without enough saliva, many cancer survivors develop xerostomia (dry mouth) which causes tooth decay.

In addition to cavities, cancer survivors may experience other oral symptoms like:

• Changes in taste
• Mouth sores
• Difficulty chewing and swallowing
• Difficulty opening the mouth
• Gum disease
• Pain in the lining of the mouth and tongue

Tip: The bad bacteria in your mouth thrive on sugar. So, take a hard look at your diet and lower your sugar intake. Swap out soda for seltzer water, for instance. Or, instead of a slice of pie after dinner, try fresh berries with homemade whipped cream.

Cancer treatment modalities like chemotherapy and radiotherapy can cause other long-term symptoms. These effects may occur within months of ending treatment or they may randomly appear years later. It is important to discuss these symptoms with your doctor.

If you are a cancer survivor, you may experience:

• Hormonal changes, such as early menopause
• Anxiety and depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Incontinence
• Infertility
• Lymphedema, or painful swelling
• Neuropathy, or nerve pain
• Memory and cognition problems
• Heart problems like congestive heart failure
• Osteoporosis, or thinning of the bones
• Sexual dysfunction, like erectile dysfunction or vaginal dryness

High-dose radiotherapy and chemotherapy are more likely to cause long-term side effects than less aggressive treatment modalities. However, all cancer treatments have the potential to cause lasting symptoms. Your doctors can discuss the potential short-term and long-term side effects associated with your specific treatment and can provide estimates as to the risk of developing each.

While no lifestyle change can guarantee your cancer won’t return, SERO’s radiation oncologists suggest several evidence-based steps to optimize your health after cancer treatment:

• Foods to eat during radiation treatment include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Limit or avoid red meats (beef, pork, lamb) and processed foods
• Reduce sugar intake, especially sugary beverages
• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight, as obesity increases risk for 13 types of cancer

• Aim for at least 150 minutes (2.5 hours) of moderate-intensity activity per week
• Choose activities you enjoy: walking, swimming, biking, or even gardening
• Start slowly if you’re fatigued from treatment and gradually increase intensity

• Stop smoking – cigarettes contain at least 70 known carcinogens
• Limit alcohol consumption (maximum of two drinks daily for men, one for women)
• Consult your doctor before taking any supplements, as some may increase cancer risk

Even if cancer returns despite your best efforts, these healthy habits remain valuable. They help prevent comorbidities like diabetes and heart disease that can complicate cancer treatment and reduce quality of life.

Always discuss specific lifestyle recommendations with your healthcare team, as individual needs vary based on your cancer type, treatment history, and overall health status.

Yes, it is normal for many cancer survivors to fear cancer recurrence. Some patients even develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a psychiatric disorder characterized by anxiety and flashbacks. Counseling and prescription drugs can help you manage these symptoms.

While it is normal to be concerned about recurrence, regular checkups with your doctor will help address any new cancer growth. Your care team will continue to monitor signs of cancer and develop a new treatment plan as necessary.

Many survivors are blindsided by the late side effects of their cancer and cancer treatment. That is why SERO’s radiation oncologists always discuss the potential risks associated with radiotherapy before beginning treatment. We also educate patients on lifestyle changes they can make to reduce the likelihood of recurrent or second cancers.

To learn more about your Charlotte cancer treatment options, contact us to schedule an appointment at one of our cancer treatment centers. We offer convenient oncological services across the Charlotte area.