Many people seem to have a distorted and incorrect definition of the word remission, as it is used in relation to cancer patients. Most commonly people seem to believe that going into remission means that the patient is successfully treated and safe.
However, according to the American Cancer Society, cancer remission is a period of time when the cancer is responding to treatment or is under control. In a complete cancer remission, all the signs and symptoms of the disease disappearComplete cancer remissions may continue for several years and be considered cures.
So, someone who goes into cancer remission is not showing signs or symptoms of the cancer. It doesnt matter how many cancer cells are still going strong and growing in the body of the patient, for any time frame that it isnt causing signs and symptoms, the patient is said to be in remission.
Oddly enough, there isnt much discussion in the advertisements for traditional cancer treatments regarding the extension in the length of life for the patient. And there arent many discussions about the quality of life for the patient.
These two concepts...