When is cancer not curable

Not every cancer cell in a tumour will have the same genetic mutations as a neighbouring cancer cell. That means that treatments can often kill one type of cell in a tumour, while others survive the treatment, allowing the tumour to grow again. The genetic mutations that cancer cells acquire over time mean that the cells change the way they behave.

This can be an incredibly difficult problem during treatment because the mutations can lead to cancer cells developing resistance to a treatment over time, making it ineffective. If that happens, the patient will then have to be put on to a different treatment — but again, the cancer could develop resistance to the new drug.

This is why we fund researchers like Maite Huarte , who is trying to figure out how to overcome this resistance. Normal cells have certain mechanisms in place that stop them from growing or dividing too much. Cancer cells have lost these control mechanisms and can develop an arsenal of tricks to avoid being killed. While individual cancer diagnoses remain one of the scariest conversations people can have with their doctor; it is worth stepping back to look at the bigger picture.

Over the last 40 years, research has made astonishing progress and survival rates for many cancers have increased dramatically over the last decades. Survival rates for many cancers have soared. Being a cancer survivor means different things for different people. Some people will be cancer free after treatment but may experience late and long term side effects of treatment.

Others may be cancer free after treatment but have their cancer come back and need to be treated again. Still others will need to continue with cancer treatment to keep their cancer under control. But anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer needs care that focuses on their unique needs. Not everyone likes to be called a cancer survivor.

Each person has the right to define his or her own experience with cancer. So, anyone who describes themselves as a cancer survivor should be considered one. There are now drugs that can regulate the epigenetic profile. New fields and major discoveries in cancer tend to grab a lot of attention. But incremental advances happen all the time. They make things a little better. Generally, it leads to new insights in how to treat cancer. Share This.

View all posts. Updated: February 6, We live in a world of exciting advances. You can talk to us about any worries or questions you may have about your cancer. Find out what support is available to help you cope when you have been diagnosed with advanced cancer.

Get information about ways to plan ahead and make choices about your future care if you have advanced cancer. Macmillan worked with a group of clinical experts to categorise certain types of cancer as treatable but not curable. Doctors generally agree that, with current standard treatment, curing these cancer types is very unlikely.

However, we know everyone with cancer is different. If you have a cancer type listed below, but are not sure if it means your cancer is treatable but not curable, please speak to one of the health professionals involved in your care. You can also call our free Support Line, 7 days a week, 8am-8pm on 00 Some people develop treatable but not curable cancer if they have a different type of cancer not listed above that progresses or comes back.

If you're looking for information about a cancer not shown above, our list of cancer types has information about cancer, diagnosis, treatment and support. Need to talk? Also operating in Northern Ireland. A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales company number