A 17-year-old who was forced to have chemotherapy against her will is now in remission , according to sources close to her case . Cassandra Fortin , from Connecticut , was diagnosed with Hodgkin 's lymphoma in September , but did not want to receive the recommended treatment . But in January a court decided that she must have the chemotherapy at Connecticut Children 's Medical Center - she was not able to make the decision as she is not legally mature enough . Cassandra Fortin , a 17-year-old who was forced to have chemotherapy against her will is now in remission , according to sources close to her case ( file photo ) Cassandra Fortin , from Connecticut , was diagnosed with Hodgkin 's lymphoma in September , but did not want to receive the recommended treatment ( file photo ) On Sunday the Department of Children and Families Commissioner Joette Katz said in a statement released : 'We are very pleased with Cassandra 's progress toward a complete recovery . 'We understand how difficult this has been for Cassandra and her family , but we have had full confidence throughout that the medical professionals involved in her treatment would be successful in saving her life . ' Doctors said the chemotherapy would give her an 85 per cent chance of survival , but without it there was a near-certainty of death within two years . Her mother Jackie Fortin said : 'She has always - even years ago - said that if she was diagnosed with cancer , she would not put poison into her body ' Cassandra underwent chemotherapy at the Connecticut Children 's Medical Centre ( pictured ) Hodgkins lymphoma ( cells pictured ) is a disease of the white blood cells . Hodgkin 's Lymphoma is cancer of the white blood cells called B lymphocytes that circulate around the lymphatic system , which is a network of vessels and glands spread throughout the body . The lymphatic system is part of your immune system . Clear fluid called lymph flows through the lymphatic vessels and contains infection-fighting white blood cells known as lymphocytes . Lymphoma causes the lymphocytes to multiply in an abnormal way and collect in certain parts of the lymphatic system , such as the lymph nodes or glands . These lymphocytes lose their infection-fighting properties , making you more vulnerable to infection . The most common symptom of HL is a painless swelling in a lymph node , usually in the neck , armpit or groin . It usually affects young adults aged between 15 and 35 and adults over the age of 50 . Almost all young people with HL will be fully cured . For older people over the age of 50 , the cure rate is around 75 per cent to 80 per cent . Treatment depends on the extent of the cancer and will usually involve a combination of radiotherapy , chemotherapy and drugs including steroids . Several other states recognize the 'mature minor doctrine ' , but the court said she did not understand the severity of her condition . She will have to wait until she turns 18 in September before she can make her own medical decisions . Cassandra was diagnosed in September and after initial surgery failed , she was given two rounds of chemotherapy . She then asked for treatment to be stopped and , in order to avoid further trips to hospital , ran away from home . Her mother Jackie Fortin supported her choice but the DCF claimed custody of the girl and took the case to court . 'It 's a question of fundamental constitutional rights -- the right to have a say over what happens to your body -- and the right to say to the government 'you ca n't control what happens to my body , ' Cassandra 's mother 's attorney , Michael S. Taylor , told Fox CT . Her mother told NBC Connecticut that her daughter has long held the belief that she does not want 'poison ' in her body . 'She has always—even years ago—said that if she was diagnosed with cancer , she would not put poison into her body , ' Ms Fortin explained . She was then returned to Connecticut Children 's Medical Center to start chemotherapy . 'CCMC reported to the Department of Children and Families that I was not giving medical attention to my daughter , ' said Ms Fortin . Writing for the Hartford Courant , Cassandra said : 'This experience has been a continuous nightmare . ' I want the right to make my medical decisions . 'It 's disgusting that I 'm fighting for a right that I and anyone in my situation should already have . 'This is my life and my body , not DCF 's and not the state 's . I am a human — I should be able to decide if I do or do n't want chemotherapy . 'Whether I live 17 years or 100 years should not be anyone 's choice but mine . ' She added : ' I believe there 's a natural way or at least an alternative to chemo out there that I am willing to look for and explore . 'Not that it would cure the cancer but it may help it . '
Cassandra Fortin , from Connecticut , ordered to undergo chemotherapy . Court said she was not legally mature enough to make the decision . Despite 17-year-old saying it is 'my life and my body , not the state 's ' Underwent treatment at Connecticut Children 's Medical Center .