refractory disease
Cancer that does not respond to initial treatment or stops responding during therapy, indicating resistance to current therapeutic approaches.
Full Definition
Refractory disease describes cancer that fails to achieve a satisfactory response to standard first-line therapy or demonstrates resistance during treatment. This term is distinguished from relapsed disease, which refers to cancer recurrence after achieving initial remission. Refractory cancer may be primary (never responding to initial treatment) or secondary (developing resistance during treatment). Patients with refractory disease typically require alternative therapeutic strategies, including investigational agents, combination therapies, or enrollment in clinical trials exploring novel treatment approaches.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from relapsed disease; refractory implies never achieving adequate response or developing resistance during treatment.
In Context
- "The patient's refractory disease necessitated enrollment in a phase I clinical trial." — Treatment plan
- "Refractory acute leukemia carries a poor prognosis and limited treatment options." — Prognostic discussion