Basic Definitions

[MaineRottweilers]

I keep seeing the same terms come up over and over again and I would like to use some of them but I realize that I don't really know what they mean.

For instance:

NED: No evidence of disease--- am I considered NED? I no longer light up my PET but I still have lesions (evidence of disease--right?) but they do not seem to have enough active cells (thank you PHT) to show up on my last PET.

pCR: pathological complete response. Is this determined by biopsy or by visualization on PET?

I am sure there are others but I'll be darned if I can remember them right now. Feel free to add on. I hate using terms incorrectly but I need a short way to describe that my treatment is working but the reports do not use any handy terms.

The radiologist's impression states:
1. Resolution of abnormal bone uptake
2. New infiltrative process in right lung, metabolically active but is "an unusual appearance for metastatic dz".

So can I say I am NED? Can I say I have had pCR?

[Lauriesh]

I have seen women use NEAD - no evidence of active disease. I think that would describe your situation. Ned came about because the report will say " no evidence of metastatic disease"
I have only seen pcr used with early stage.
Whatever term you use, congratulations on the good scan.

[jra40]

Hmm, I never had any of those titles given to me but I've seen them all over this board! Yes, congrats on the good scan!

I call myself CI - Cancer Inactive. My own term, tired of doctor's terms. I'm doing things my own way now! ha ha