minimal residual disease
Also written as: MRD — minimal residual disease
Small numbers of cancer cells that remain after treatment but are below the detection limit of conventional imaging or clinical assessment.
Full Definition
The presence of cancer cells that persist following treatment but exist in quantities too small to be detected by standard diagnostic methods such as imaging or physical examination. MRD detection requires highly sensitive techniques like flow cytometry, PCR, or sequencing to identify residual malignant cells. Monitoring MRD helps predict relapse risk, guide treatment decisions, and assess treatment efficacy in various cancer types, particularly hematologic malignancies.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as MRD; ensure context makes clear this refers to cancer cells, not other residual conditions.
In Context
- "Molecular analysis detected minimal residual disease at a frequency of 0.01% despite morphologic complete remission." — Hematology follow-up report
- "The MRD-positive patients had significantly higher relapse rates compared to MRD-negative cases." — Clinical outcomes analysis