Disease control rate is a way to describe how many people in a study have their cancer shrink or stop growing for a period of time. It is commonly reported in oncology clinical trials and sometimes summarized in clinic discussions about treatment response. It combines several response categories into one number to capture “tumor control,” not cure. Its meaning depends on how response is measured and when it is assessed.

Progressive disease is a clinical term that means a cancer is growing, spreading, or worsening over time. It is most commonly used when comparing current tests with a prior “baseline” after diagnosis or treatment. Clinicians use it in routine cancer care and in clinical trials to describe treatment response. The exact definition depends on the cancer type and the response criteria being applied.

Stable disease is a cancer status that means the cancer has not clearly grown or shrunk on assessment. It is commonly used when reviewing scan results, lab trends, and symptoms during or after treatment. Stable disease is one of several standard categories used to describe “response” to therapy. It can apply to solid tumors and blood cancers, although the criteria differ by disease.

Partial response is a term clinicians use to describe how much a cancer has shrunk after treatment. It means the cancer has decreased in size or extent, but it has not completely disappeared. Partial response is commonly used in imaging reports, oncology clinic notes, and clinical trials. It helps standardize communication about treatment effectiveness over time.

Complete response is an oncology term that describes no detectable evidence of cancer after treatment. It is commonly used in clinic visits, imaging reports, pathology reports, and cancer research studies. It is a way to summarize how a tumor or blood cancer appears to have responded to therapy. It does not automatically mean the cancer is cured.

Remission means that signs and symptoms of cancer have reduced or disappeared. It is a clinical term used after treatment or sometimes during ongoing therapy. Remission describes how much cancer is detectable, not which treatment was used. It is commonly used in oncology visits, imaging reports, and pathology or lab summaries.

Refractory disease means a cancer does not respond to treatment as expected. It is a clinical label used in oncology to describe lack of meaningful benefit from a therapy. It commonly appears in cancer notes, tumor board discussions, and clinical trial eligibility criteria. The exact meaning depends on the cancer type, the treatment given, and how response is measured.

Relapse means a cancer returns after a period when it could not be detected or was under control. Relapse is a clinical term used in oncology, hematology, and survivorship care. It helps clinicians describe “cancer coming back” in a precise and standardized way. Relapse can be found by symptoms, imaging, lab tests, or biopsy, depending on the cancer type.

Recurrence means cancer has returned after a period when it could not be detected. It is commonly used in oncology after initial treatment and during follow-up care. Recurrence can happen in the original area, nearby lymph nodes, or distant organs. The term helps clinicians describe what is happening and plan the next steps.

Tumor progression means a cancer is growing, spreading, or becoming more active over time. It is a clinical term used in oncology notes, imaging reports, and treatment discussions. It can be identified by scans, lab trends, symptoms, or biopsy findings. It helps clinicians describe whether a cancer is responding, stable, or worsening.