The cancer is gone and the tumour is shrinking

[GK Fanatic]

Does anyone know what the above statement means??
We have a young relative who has undergone chemo but then needed a course of radiation.
The above statement is what his doctors have said since the radiation treatment finished but to me it seems a contradiction. If its gone how come the tumour is still shrinking?Surely if its gone its gone...or if the tumour is still shrinking the cancer is still there??

[lindapinda]

Some tumours are benign and not life threatening.Here's a link http://www.breastcancer.org/dictionary/benignt umor_t.html I'm glad your family has had good news :-)

[GK Fanatic]

Oh no you've got it wrong. It was malignant, hence the chemo !!My question is whether this statement is goodnews or not. I think he still has the cancer.

[lindapinda]

I realised that the tumour had been malignant,but,the link was only to show that a tumour isnt always cancerous.Sorry if I mixed you up.I would take that statement to be good news,cos I'm taking it to mean that,now the cancerous cells are gone,the tumour is beginning to shrink.

[Robinia]

It sounds very confusing to me too GK. Your relative needs to ask the doctors/cancer nurses to explain clearly what is going on. I thought they were supposed to be better at communicating with patients these days.
I hope all is well & that the treatment has been a success.

[GK Fanatic]

....this is all happening in the USA where for the most part the explanations are more clearly given to avoid litigation.
I'll be over there next week so will find out more then.

[sleepyfairy]

It could be that the cancerous cells have all gone from the body but that a non cancerous tumour is shrinking, but would definately ask for more info. Hope all goes well. Take care.