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Colorectal Cancer: Post Treatment 6 Months +: Medical Care Stages II,III,IV

Where Are You Now? What Doctors Say And What They Mean

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 “You’re cured” or “You’re in complete remission”:   Both of these expressions mean that your doctor cannot find any cancer. They do not mean that you are cured for good. Get a Colorectal cancer follow-up plan from your doctor – and keep to the appointments and tests described in it. Early detection of a return makes positive treatment results more likely. (For information about follow-up plans, see the document in To Learn More). 

 “You’re in partial remission”:  

  • The tumor(s) responded to treatment. The tumor is either smaller or stopped growing. The tumor is not eliminated completely.
  • Speak with your doctor and other specialists to find out if there is another treatment you should be taking.
  • At the least, get a cancer follow-up plan from your doctor. (For information about follow-up plans, see the document in To Learn More).

 “The cancer is unchanged”: 

  • The tumor did not decrease, but is no longer growing either. 
  • Speak with your doctor and other specialists to find out if there is another treatment you should be taking. Ask about cutting edge treatments that are only available through a clinical trial. At the least, get a cancer follow-up plan from your doctor. (For information about clinical trials and follow-up plans, see the documents in To Learn More). 

“Your tumor is still growing”: 

  • The treatment did not stop tumor growth.
  • Speak with your doctor and other specialists to find out if there is another treatment you should be taking – including cutting edge treatments available through clinical trials. At the least, get a cancer follow-up plan from your doctor. (For information about clinical trials and follow-up plans, see the documents in To Learn More). 

“The cancer has metasticized”: During treatment, your doctor may learn that your cancer has spread beyond the initial site. Speak with your doctor and other specialists to find out if there is another treatment you should be taking – including cutting edge treatments available through clinical trials. For information about clinical trials, how to find them and how to assess them, see the document in To Learn More.”


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