Recurrence
Also known as: relapse
The return of cancer after a period of being undetectable.
Definition
Recurrence means cancer has returned after a period in which it could not be detected. A local recurrence reappears at or near the original site; a regional recurrence involves nearby lymph nodes; and a distant recurrence (or metastasis) appears in another organ. Recurrence is most likely in the first few years after treatment but can occasionally happen many years later.
Follow-up visits, examinations, blood tests and imaging are designed to spot recurrence early, when more treatment options are available. If recurrence is confirmed, treatment is tailored to its location, the original cancer type, biomarker results and what treatments have been used before.
See also
- Remission — A reduction or disappearance of signs and symptoms of cancer after treatment.
- Metastasis — Cancer that has spread from where it started to another part of the body.
- Prognosis — A doctor's best estimate of how a cancer is likely to behave and respond to treatment.
- Adjuvant Therapy — Additional treatment given after surgery to lower the risk of cancer coming back.
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Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rehan Abdullah
Dr. Rehan Abdullah is a dual-trained clinical and radiation oncologist with over a decade of experience treating both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. He serves as Consultant Oncologist at INMOL Hospital and sees patients at Farooq Hospital and Healthnox Medical Center, Lahore. Read full profile →
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