Oligoprogression
Limited disease progression involving only a few metastatic sites while other disease remains controlled during systemic therapy.
Full Definition
A pattern of cancer progression characterized by growth in a limited number of metastatic lesions (typically 1-5 sites) while the majority of disease remains stable or responsive to ongoing systemic treatment. This phenomenon suggests heterogeneous response within a patient's tumor burden, where some lesions develop resistance mechanisms while others remain sensitive to therapy. Oligoprogression has important clinical implications as it may warrant local ablative therapies (such as surgery or stereotactic radiation) to the progressing sites while continuing effective systemic therapy, rather than changing to a new systemic regimen. This approach can potentially extend the duration of current therapy and delay the need for treatment escalation.
Usage
Usage note: Emerging concept in precision oncology; definition criteria may vary between studies.
In Context
- "The patient demonstrated oligoprogression in liver metastases while lung lesions remained stable." — Radiology report
- "Local ablation was considered for oligoprogression sites to extend the current treatment regimen." — Multidisciplinary team notes