If you remain in complete remission for 5 years or more, some doctors may say that you are cured. Still, some cancer cells can remain in your body for many years after treatment. These cells may cause the cancer to come back one day. For cancers that return, most do so within the first 5 years after treatment. But, there is a chance that cancer will come back later. For this reason, doctors cannot say for sure that you are cured. The most they can say is that there are no signs of cancer at this time.
However, in my particular case, my Oncologist has never mentioned that my cancer(s) are in remission even though the PET scans show NO METABOLIC activity which is typically an indication that malignant cancers are present. Whereas, my wife who was also being treated for a type of Lymphoma is in remission as stated by her Oncologist who is also my Oncologist.
Imbruvica is keeping my Lymphoma from showing metabolic activity and Opdivo is keeping my Melanoma from showing metabolic activity... but, in order for the latter to have actually worked, I needed to receive 6 good doses of radiation which supercharged the Opdivo.
As far as my Oncologist is concerned, I will be taking these two drugs for the rest of my life or until my body starts manifesting negative side effects...
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