London, Sep 9 (IANS) A retired teacher has astonished doctors by getting himself rid of cancer even before treatment.

Peter Crane, 60, diagnosed with leukaemia 18 months ago, was warned that the disease cannot usually be cured but was told that chemotherapy could help.

However, Crane did not start the treatment straightaway because the cancer had not reached the stage where it would be most effective, reports the Daily Mail.

Meanwhile, it appears the cancer simply vanished. Blood tests have shown his body is free of the disease and he is now officially in remission.

Experts said Crane was a very lucky man, cases of 'spontaneous remission' are extremely rare but do happen.

Crane, of East Boldon, South Tyneside, is now feeling fit and healthy and enjoying a new lease of life with his wife Mary.

He said he was astounded when tests last week at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle showed he was in remission. "I couldn't believe it when they told me," he said.

"The doctors said to go into spontaneous remission is very rare. It's not unique and I am not saying the cancer won't come back but, for now, being told it's gone is a huge weight off my mind," he said.

Crane had been diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia, or CCL, which is one of the most common forms of the disease. It requires medical intervention to keep it under control.

CLL usually affects those over 60 and occurs more often in men. It develops very slowly and many patients do not need treatment for months or years.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are used once the symptoms become more acute.