A 26-year-old member asked:
How long after being in remission with leukemia are you be considered cancer free?
2 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in

Dr. Stephen Nogaanswered
Medical Oncology 35 years experience
Difficult question: Part of this depends on the type of leukemia: acute or chronic. The standard thought is 5 years for acute leukemia. However, the risk of relapse is significantly high in the first 2 years, so every year after this reduces the risk of recurrence significantly if you are followed closely by your oncologist.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago

Dr. Keith Stockerl-Goldsteinanswered
Hematology and Oncology 31 years experience
6.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 39-year-old member asked:
What's the difference between being cancer-free and in remission?
2 doctor answers • 4 doctors weighed in

Dr. Devon Websteranswered
Medical Oncology 23 years experience
They're the same: Different doctors use different terms to mean different things, but if you are cancer-free you are in remission. If there is little to no chance your cancer will come back, you might be considered "cured". Ask your oncologist what he or she means when using these terms!
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 30, 2016
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