Skip to main content
    infoMD

    Remission

    re·mis·sion — reh-MISH-un

    Definition

    Remission is a medical term describing a period during which the signs and symptoms of a disease are reduced or disappear entirely. It does not necessarily mean the disease is cured — rather, it indicates that the disease is currently under control. Remission can be partial (significant improvement but some disease activity remains) or complete (no detectable signs of disease). The term is most commonly used in the context of cancer, autoimmune diseases, and chronic inflammatory conditions.

    In cancer treatment, complete remission means that all detectable signs of cancer have disappeared on imaging and blood tests, though microscopic cancer cells may still be present. If complete remission lasts for five years or more, many oncologists consider the cancer effectively cured, though the specific timeline varies by cancer type. Partial remission means the cancer has shrunk significantly (usually by 50% or more) but hasn't completely disappeared.

    In autoimmune and inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn's disease, lupus, and multiple sclerosis, remission means that disease activity has subsided — symptoms have resolved, inflammatory markers have normalized, and organ damage has stabilized. Remission may be achieved through medications, lifestyle modifications, or occasionally occurs spontaneously. Many chronic conditions cycle between periods of remission and flare-ups (exacerbations).

    Also Known As

    Disease remissionClinical remission

    Key Facts

    • •Remission can be partial (disease reduced but present) or complete (no detectable disease activity).
    • •In cancer, 5-year complete remission is often used as a benchmark for potential cure, though this varies by cancer type.
    • •Autoimmune diseases commonly cycle between remission and flare-ups throughout a patient's life.
    • •Achieving remission often requires ongoing treatment — stopping medications during remission can trigger relapse.
    • •Spontaneous remission — disease resolving without treatment — is rare but documented in both cancer and autoimmune diseases.

    How It Relates To Your Health

    If you've been told you're in remission from cancer or an autoimmune condition, understanding what this means is important for managing expectations and ongoing care. Remission typically requires continued monitoring — regular checkups, blood tests, and imaging — to detect any signs of recurrence early.

    For chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or Crohn's disease, remission is the primary treatment goal, and maintaining remission often requires continued medication even when symptoms have resolved. Discuss any desire to reduce or stop medications with your healthcare provider, as premature discontinuation can lead to disease flares that may be harder to control.

    Sources

    1. What Does Remission Mean? — American Cancer Society
    2. Remission — National Cancer Institute
    3. Understanding Disease Remission — Mayo Clinic

    Was this definition helpful?