The British Royal Family Attend The Christmas Morning Service

Following her March 2024 cancer announcement, Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, shared positive news about her health. On January 14th, she stated, “It is a relief now to be in remission and I remain focused on recovery.”

This remission announcement follows the completion of her chemotherapy treatment in September.

Details about the Princess’s specific cancer type remain undisclosed. The following explains the meaning of cancer remission.

Understanding “Remission”

Cancer remission signifies a reduction in cancer signs and symptoms, sometimes to undetectable levels. Dr. Sikander Ailawadhi, an oncologist at Mayo Clinic, explains, “Remission quite simply means that at that point, there is no detectable sign that cancer is in the body on all of the tests we have done.” While not guaranteeing complete eradication, it means the cancer is currently undetectable through thorough testing.

Dr. Marleen Meyers, professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health, notes the ambiguity of the term, stating, “The common use of the word—even among oncologists, if they say someone is in remission—is that it means we have knowledge that it could come back, but at the moment, there is no evidence of cancer.”

Dr. Christopher Flowers, chair of the lymphoma and myeloma department at MD Anderson Cancer Center, highlights the variability in how “remission” is used, depending on the individual and physician.

Organizations like the National Cancer Institute define partial and complete remission. Complete remission indicates the disappearance of all cancer signs and symptoms; partial remission signifies a reduction but persistent presence of cancer. Middleton’s statement doesn’t specify the type of remission. Sustaining complete remission for five years may indicate a cure.

Dr. Larry Norton, oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, clarifies, “You have to have complete remission to be cured, but complete remission doesn’t guarantee that you’re cured.”

Cancer Recurrence After Remission

Cancer recurrence is possible even after remission, with some types exhibiting a higher likelihood than others. Ailawadhi explains that certain cancers, such as glioblastoma multiforme, often recur quickly. Pancreatic, bladder, and ovarian cancers also carry a high recurrence risk, despite treatment and remission. Undetectable cancerous cells can begin to grow at any time. Most patients continue monitoring with their doctors for recurrence signs.

Flowers describes remission as “an important milestone on the cancer journey to know you are on the pathway to cure. It’s the most positive first step to be in remission.”

The Princess anticipates “a fulfilling year ahead,” expressing gratitude to the Royal Marsden Hospital staff for their care. She has scaled back royal duties since her diagnosis but recently participated in the family’s Christmas Day service and hosted a carol service.