What does remission mean in lymphoma?
Remission means that after treatment, your lymphoma has either shrunk significantly or disappeared. There are two main types:
Complete remission occurs when all signs of lymphoma disappear. You no longer have symptoms, and tests can't detect any remaining cancer cells.
Partial Show Full Answer
What does remission mean in lymphoma?
Remission means that after treatment, your lymphoma has either shrunk significantly or disappeared. There are two main types:
Complete remission occurs when all signs of lymphoma disappear. You no longer have symptoms, and tests can't detect any remaining cancer cells.
Partial remission happens when treatment kills some cancer cells but others remain. You may have less than half of your lymphoma remaining after treatment.
It's important to understand that remission doesn't necessarily mean your lymphoma is cured. Very small numbers of cancer cells may still exist but are undetectable by tests. These cells could potentially grow back later, which is called a relapse or recurrence.
For many people with lymphoma, remission means a break from active treatment. The length of remission varies from person to person and depends on factors like your age, overall health, lymphoma subtype, and how well you responded to initial treatment.
Regular follow-up appointments are crucial during remission to monitor for any signs that lymphoma might be returning.
April 18