incurable

Incurable describes a disease, condition, or disorder for which there is no known cure with current medical knowledge. It is a descriptive label rather than a formal diagnosis, and it can apply to conditions that are infectious, degenerative, genetic, autoimmune, or otherwise resistant to reversal.

An incurable condition is not necessarily terminal. Some are chronic and manageable through symptom relief and supportive care, while others steadily progress. The terms incurable and terminal are related but distinct: incurable refers to the absence of a cure, whereas terminal implies ongoing decline toward death within a limited time.

Examples and scope: Historically, many neurodegenerative diseases and certain genetic disorders have been described as incurable, as have some advanced cancers. Medical science continually changes that status; new therapies can slow progression, relieve symptoms, or, in some cases, offer a cure.

Care and decision making: For incurable conditions, treatment often focuses on quality of life, palliative care, pain management, rehabilitation, and psychosocial support. Decisions about treatment goals—such as whether to pursue aggressive interventions—are typically guided by patient values and clinical circumstances.

Research and outlook: Ongoing research in areas such as gene therapy, regenerative medicine, immunotherapy, and precision medicine seeks to convert incurable conditions into curable or treatable ones. Ethical considerations, access to experimental therapies, and informed consent are important aspects of this field.