Chemotherapy?

[McLovin S]

My good friend has a cancerous tumor behind his eye. He has been receiving chemo and radiation for the past three months or so. He is 21 years of age and he told me yesterday that he has about a month of chemo and radiation left. Does this mean that the cancer has been successfully eliminated? If they stop chemo and radiation, is it possible that the cancer is not gone but being held in check? I know this question is vague, but I just don't know how the whole process works. Any help would be appreciated.

[HJ17]

Yes, Jamie is right. When you can go off the chemo - it means that you are in remission. I am so happy for your friend and for you (knowing you care). I can't go off chemo, I have to do it every night - so I am so happy for those people that can get better. Best wishes to you both!

[Hiba]

chemotherapy and radiotherapy should eliminate the tumor, but still there is a risk of recurrence, so he should have regular follow ups with his doctor.

[Dr.C Kenzington]

Well,

when a patient has gone into remission,it usually means that the cancer has gone,died,or is at bay for the time being......it is a good sign that he will be ending treatment soon.....it doesn't mean the cancer has fully gone away however.

Doctors in the Oncology field who have dealt with this type of cancer tend to estimate how long of treatment someone must go through in order to kill the cancer cells and they determine it by other cases and studies recorded to see if his case is similar or needs more time.