Are you cured after complete excision of primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (PCMZBCL) with complete remission?
Complete remission means all signs of lymphoma have disappeared and tests can't detect remaining cancer cells. This is excellent news and shows your treatment was very successful.
However, complete Show Full Answer
Are you cured after complete excision of primary cutaneous marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (PCMZBCL) with complete remission?
Complete remission means all signs of lymphoma have disappeared and tests can't detect remaining cancer cells. This is excellent news and shows your treatment was very successful.
However, complete remission doesn't always mean you're permanently cured. Sometimes a very small number of lymphoma cells may survive treatment - too few to detect with tests - but they could potentially grow back later. This is called a relapse or recurrence.
The good news is that among people who achieve complete response, fewer than 1 out of 5 will relapse within five years. Marginal zone lymphomas like yours are generally indolent (slow-growing) and often have favorable outcomes.
Your situation is particularly encouraging because:
- You had a single isolated tumor
- It was completely excised with no margins left
- You've achieved complete remission
Continue with regular follow-up appointments and monitoring as your doctor recommends. This active surveillance helps catch any potential recurrence early if it occurs.
March 4