Semantic question of the day - do we get cured or are we in remission

I could add this little bit of humor. One of the doctors at the PCRI conference defined a prostate cancer "cure" as not occurring until we die of something else.

I work under the philosophy that I am "cured" when I die of something else.

I personally struggle to describe myself. When I was first diagnosed, I said "I have cancer." Now I'm not sure if I have cancer. So do I say "I used to have cancer"? Or do I say, "I'm waiting to find out if I still have cancer"?

Somehow, I can't imagine saying either "remission" or "cured." Also, I've never been crazy about saying I'm a cancer "survivor," although I clearly hope that I am.

I'm still in that in between zone where I don't really know how I will fare (although I'm optimistic) so maybe I'll figure that out as things develop.

I thinks its in remission and remains in remission until you die.

Nomograms report probabilities that cancer will NOT re-occur after a period (yeps its alwasy reported in the "POSITIVE")

eg. Ive just entered by stats (Gleason 9) in the nomogram (see nomograms.mskcc.org/Prostate/PostRadicalProstatectomy.aspx and it reports:

2 year 98% (I have a 2% chance of PCA returing after 2 years, when I'm 60)
5 year 93%
7 year 91%
10 year 87% (I have a 13% chance of PCA returning after 10 years, when I'm 68)

However, if I was a Gleason 6 then after
10 years (98%) I'll have a 2% chance of it returning when I'm 68 -- Yipee)

My take on the matter is
"A LITTLE BIT OF CANCER CAN DEFINITELY SPOIL YOUR DAY!"

.

My doctor uses the word 'cured'. I'm sure as heck not going to argue with him.

My urologist gave me a 98% chance of a "cure" so am I cured now ( 3 years post surgery) or do I have to die from something else first to be considered cured and does this count if I get hit by a bus this afternoon ?

Does anybody ever say I "had" prostate cancer?

Cmetalman

I had surgery for favorable-risk PC, so the way I describe it to people when asked:

I was overtreated by an over-zealous medical industry, and with almost complete certainty I will never have to deal with prostate cancer again.

I always say "I HAD prostate cancer" if the question comes up. I believe it's up to the patient to define the condition he feels comfortable with. Low risk patients who received treatment should be comfortable with "cure" as the probability or reoccurrance is very low after a few years have passed.

Ron says, "I had Prostate Cancer." His doctor says if you go FIVE years with no return, you may consider yourself cured. It's been four years (in August) since his surgery. We can only pray it does not return.

..I agree that some of the low-grade cancer guys after so many years can actually say that they are cured. My father had prostate cancer 13 years ago at a Gleason 6. Even though he has residual PSA it never moves so we consider him Cured. As for myself I'm kind of in limbo right now. With the surgery, radiation and a year of the Lupron with two years to go, we will have to see. When people see me and ask how I am doing I tell them different things at different times because I'm confused. They tell me that I look good because I've gained weight because of the Lupron. Hope all you guys are doing well and hanging in there we do the best we can with what we got..

..Appleseed..

Spikem said...
I have slowly come to the same realization. Remission until finally cured!

This has been somewhat of a breakthrough for me. Earlier I grasped at the slim possibility my DX of PC would just go away with a bit of luck and after a suitable length of time and pain. This reality is different, still processing it however has changed my follow on treatment plan.

Sorry for dragging the light humor down.

I fully agree with your opinion .. I think PC will never goes out of mind.

Mine does too...and I also, won't argue with him.

GOP said...
My doctor uses the word 'cured'. I'm sure as heck not going to argue with him.