The problem is that a complete remission does not mean the cancer is gone. Even when a cancer is “cured” — defined as no evidence of cancer for five years — it may not be vanquished.

The Prince of Wales was announced as the patron of the College of Paramedics at his first outing of the year on Wednesday, Jan. 15

Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, announced that her cancer is in remission, marking the moment by making an emotional return to the hospital where she was treated. NBC’s Meagan Fitzgerald reports for TODAY.