Regression (medicine) explained

Regression in medicine is the partial or complete reversal of a disease's signs and symptoms.

• Clinically, regression generally refers to a decrease in severity of symptoms without completely disappearing. At a later point, symptoms may return. These symptoms are then called recidive.

• In cancer, regression refers to a specific decrease in the size or extent of a tumour.^[1] In histopathology, histological regression is one or more areas within a tumor in which neoplastic cells have disappeared or decreased in number.^[2] In melanomas, this means complete or partial disappearance from areas of the dermis (and occasionally from the epidermis), which have been replaced by fibrosis, accompanied by melanophages, new blood vessels, and a variable degree of inflammation.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Regression. NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. National Cancer Institute. 31 August 2017. en.
2. Ribero. Simone. Gualano. Maria Rosaria. Osella-Abate. Simona. Scaioli. Giacomo. Bert. Fabrizio. Sanlorenzo. Martina. Balagna. Elena. Fierro. Maria Teresa. Macripò. Giuseppe. Sapino. Anna. Siliquini. Roberta. Quaglino. Pietro. Association of Histologic Regression in Primary Melanoma With Sentinel Lymph Node Status. JAMA Dermatology. 151. 12. 2015. 1301–1307. 2168-6068. 10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.2235. 26332402 . free.