Understanding Remission, Relapse, and Refractory Disease

The words remission, relapse, and refractory disease are a few terms used to describe the status of one's disease.

• Remission is used to describe disease that was once present but is no longer detected and an absence of signs and symptoms. It is important to understand that while the signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared, the cancer may still be in the body – even after treatment. It is not the same as being "cured;" there is no cure for multiple myeloma. During remission, there may be no need for treatment other than supportive care to alleviate any of the ongoing physical effects of the disease or to address any emotional needs. Remission may last a few months or for years. The length of remission depends on the specifics of your individual disease.
• Relapse is used to describe the return of the signs and symptoms of disease following a period of remission or other improvements.
• Refractory disease refers to disease that does not respond to therapy (also called resistant).

Click here to learn more about disease status.