When you're undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with B-Cell Lymphoma, one day your doctor says, "You're now in 'remission'." That's a very comforting and hopeful word. It's a very important milestone in your treatment journey. Simply put, it means that your cancer is no longer active, or that it has now left your body.
What are the types of 'remission'?
Your doctor will tell you that you are in 'remission' if scans show that the cancer has significantly reduced in your body, or if no signs of cancer can be found. There are two main types of this. Let's look at what they are.
| Remission type | What does that mean? |
|---|---|
| Partial Remission | This means that your B-cell lymphoma cancer is smaller than before, but it is still in your body. This usually means that at least half of the cancer has shrunk. |
| Complete Remission | In this case, your doctor can't find any signs of cancer on scans or other tests. However, there may still be some cancer cells left in the body. But they are so small that they can't be detected by the tests. |
Every doctor is trying to get you into complete remission. With some types of lymphoma, there is a good chance of achieving that goal. But with other types, even a partial remission is considered a great success.
Does 'remission' mean you are completely cured?
Here's something very important. Even though you're in 'remission,' there's a chance that your lymphoma could come back. But because the cancer isn't active at that point, you may be able to stop treatment or take a break from treatment.
No one can say exactly how long remission will last , which is why you and your doctor need to keep an eye on it.
For this reason, you will need to continue to see your doctor for tests to make sure your lymphoma is not growing back or coming back. Some doctors only use the word "cured" for patients who have been in remission for 5 years or more.
For some people, lymphoma never goes away completely. It becomes a chronic illness, like diabetes or arthritis. In such cases, you may need to continue taking some type of treatment to stop the cancer from spreading and control your symptoms.
How does the doctor check for cancer recurrence? (Cancer Relapse)
Your doctor will watch you closely for any signs of lymphoma coming back (relapse). If that happens, treatment will need to be restarted.
In the beginning, you will need to see your doctor every few months. But as you remain cancer-free for months or years, the frequency of checkups may decrease.
Each time, the doctor will examine you and ask if you have any new symptoms. They may also do blood tests and sometimes CT scans or PET scans .
If these tests show any signs of cancer, a biopsy is done to confirm whether the lymphoma has actually returned. In this test, a doctor removes a small piece or the entire node from a lymph node and sends it to a lab to check for cancer cells.
What are the symptoms of a relapse?
Symptoms usually occur when B-cell lymphoma comes back (relapse). You may have the same symptoms you had when you first had the disease, or you may have different symptoms this time.
The important thing is that these symptoms can also be caused by other illnesses. For example, fever and swollen glands can be signs of an infection, such as the flu. So don't be afraid that the cancer has returned just because you had these symptoms. But if you see something like this, it's best to definitely see a doctor and get checked out.
| Common symptoms of lymphoma recurrence | |
|---|---|
| Swollen lymph nodes (symptoms) | Swelling of the neck, armpits, or groin. |
| Fever | Fever that comes on without any particular reason. |
| Night sweats | Sweating at night so much that the bed sheets get wet. |
| Hard work | Excessive fatigue, more than normal. |
| Weight loss | Unintentional weight loss without any effort. |
What are the treatments for a relapse?
Your doctor may recommend repeating the same treatment you were given before, or they may suggest a new treatment. The treatment you receive will depend on several factors.
- The type of B-cell lymphoma you have.
- What treatments you have received in the past and how successful they were.
- What side effects you experienced during past treatments and how much they bothered you.
- Your test results.
- Your symptoms.
- How long has it been since your last treatment?
Treatments for a lymphoma relapse may include:
- A different type of chemotherapy than the previous type.
- Radiation therapy.
- A stem cell transplant.
- Targeted drugs .
In addition, your doctor may suggest immunotherapy . For example:
- Monoclonal antibodies
- CAR T-cell therapy
Often, the treatment given when the disease recurs may be a little stronger than the treatment given when you were first diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma.
Take-Home Message
- 'Remission' is a very positive step in your cancer treatment journey. It means that the cancer is no longer active, or has decreased in size.
- There are two types of 'Remission': 'Partial' and 'Complete'.
- Being in 'remission' does not always mean being "completely cured." Therefore, it is essential to see your doctor on time for follow-up examinations.
- If symptoms such as fever and swollen lymph nodes reappear, don't panic, but don't take it lightly and consult your doctor immediately for advice.
- Fortunately, even if lymphoma does recur (relapse), there are effective treatments for that as well. So don't give up hope.
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