Does no evidence of disease mean stage 3B NSCLC is cured?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 55-year-old woman weighing 152 pounds. I was found to have stage 3B NSCLC almost one year back and received chemotherapy and radiation treatment for the same.

In my latest scan report, it is written that there is no evidence of disease, which made me extremely happy but also confused because I get tired quite often and wonder whether this cancer will recur or not.

Now, since my stage 3B NSCLC has become a case of no evidence of disease when I am 55 years old, does it mean that I am cured, or do I still have chances of recurrence?

Kindly advise.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq. com.

I hope you are doing well, and I wish you continued health and recovery.

I wish to congratulate you on your successful treatment of stage 3B non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) without evidence of disease (NED). The absence of evidence of disease means that no abnormalities can be found during the imaging and examination test results currently obtained by you.

Nevertheless, no evidence of disease (NED) does not guarantee a complete cure from cancer for you. Concerning stage 3B non-small cell lung cancer, there remains a high risk of recurrence. Thus, follow-up visits and further imaging tests are needed in order to reveal any recurrences of cancer as quickly as possible.

In addition, it is quite natural to feel fatigued even after undergoing both chemo and radiation therapy. Fatigue is one of the most common side effects of cancer treatments, which can remain for several months or even longer. The best thing is that patients will have the ability to regain their energy levels gradually with time.

Continue to attend all follow-up appointments, maintain a proper diet and exercise, and inform your oncologist about any odd symptoms.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.