What does the term "prognosis" refer to in cancer care?

The term "prognosis" in cancer care refers to the expected outcome or course of the disease. This encompasses an understanding of how the disease is likely to progress, the potential response to treatment, and anticipated survival rates based on various factors such as cancer type, stage at diagnosis, and individual patient characteristics.

While the likelihood of cancer recurrence is an important aspect of patient care and treatment planning, it is a component of the broader prognosis. Similarly, the effectiveness of current treatment is part of evaluating a prognosis but does not solely define it. The patient's overall health status can influence prognosis but is not the definition of the term itself. Therefore, the most accurate description is that prognosis relates to the expected course and outcome of the disease.