Remission no 'cure' for cancer

Remission no 'cure' for cancer

JAKARTA (JP): An estimated 90 percent of people whose cancer
went into remission subsequently suffered a relapse, with greater
difficulties experienced in treating the recurrence, an expert
said.

Obstetrician/gynecologist Sutoto from the state-run Diponegoro
University in Semarang, Central Java, said in a speech marking
his investiture as professor on Saturday that many cancer
patients mistakenly assumed the disease was cured once it was
classed in remission.

"They thought that with only one treatment, they were cured,
not knowing that when they had a relapse, it would be more
difficult to treat them or bring them into another remission," he
said as quoted by Antara.

"Most of the medical world believes that a person cannot be
cured of cancer for life, that's why a person with cancer is not
said to be cured, but goes into remission."

First treatment for a person diagnosed for cancer, he said,
was generally "the best short- and long-term treatment."
Following a relapse, doctors need to adjust treatment to the
cancer, its spread and the possibility of a further relapse.

Diponegoro University rector Eko Budihardjo said 34 of the
institution's 77 professors were from the School of Medicine.
(swe)