Princess Catherine, wife of Prince William, announced on Tuesday that her cancer is in remission. However, the specifics of her cancer type and its stage at diagnosis remain undisclosed.
The cancer was discovered unexpectedly last March during abdominal surgery. Catherine underwent chemotherapy, which she completed in September. She described the treatment as “really tough” and mentioned the use of a port for administering chemotherapy drugs directly into her veins.
In her statement to the British news agency PA Media, she expressed relief at being in remission and emphasized her focus on recovery.
Dr. Kimmie Ng, associate chief of the division of gastrointestinal oncology at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, commented that her announcement is “good news and is reassuring.” However, she noted that the definition of remission can vary among patients.
Typically, remission indicates no evidence of cancer in blood tests or scans. Nevertheless, a complete remission does not guarantee that the cancer is eradicated. Even after five years of no evidence of cancer, it may still persist.
This uncertainty can be emotionally challenging for patients, who must continue regular check-ups with oncologists, including physical exams, blood tests, and imaging. Dr. Ng highlighted the fear and anxiety associated with this ongoing surveillance.
Dr. Elena Ratner, a gynecologic oncologist at the Yale Cancer Center, pointed out that different cancers have varying rates of recurrence. For instance, 75 to 80 percent of ovarian cancers can return within 14 to 16 months after remission, depending on the cancer's stage and biology.
Once cancer returns, it often becomes a chronic condition, requiring patients to undergo intermittent chemotherapy throughout their lives. Dr. Ratner noted that her patients undergo CT scans every three months, leading to a cycle of temporary relief followed by anxiety as the next scan approaches.
She acknowledged the emotional toll this process takes on her patients, stating, “It costs them — it costs them a lot,” while also expressing admiration for their resilience.