What does recurrent cancer mean?
(ree-KER-ent CAN-ser)Cancer that has come back (recurred), usually after a period in which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer can return to the same site as the original (primary) tumor or to a different site in the body.
Can cancer recurrences be treated?Many local and regional recurrences can be cured. Even if there is no cure, treatment can shrink your cancer to slow the cancer's growth. This can relieve pain and other symptoms and help you live longer.
Recurring cancer can be more aggressive than the original cancer if it has already spread to other parts of the body or has become resistant to chemotherapy. The sooner the cancer returns, the more serious it is likely to be.
Cancers that come back don't always respond as well to treatment as they did the first time. Your treatment plan will likely depend on the type of cancer you have, how advanced it is, and where it is located. If the cancer only returns to the original site, surgery or radiation may be good choices.
When the cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, it is called a metastatic recurrence.Metastatic cancer is also known as stage 4.
Seek emotional support.
Anger and excitement about a cancer recurrence is normal. It is important to find support so that you can express these feelings. In addition to sharing with family and friends, it helps to share feelings and concerns with others who are dealing with cancer recurrence and who have been where you are now.
Forcancer that has spread
Your doctor may suggest chemotherapy if there is a chance your cancer will spread in the future. Or if it has already spread. Sometimes cancer cells detach from a tumor. They can get to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or the lymphatic system.
It can happenweeks, months or even yearsafter the original cancer has been treated. It is not possible to know for sure if the cancer will come back after you stop your treatment. The chances of a cancer coming back depends on the type and stage of cancer you had.
These categories are usually determined by the size and number of tumors and how far the cancer has spread. There are effective treatments for many types of stage 3 cancer.Some stage 3 cancers can be cured, but they are more likely to return after they go away.
Over time, these cells can grow and cause breast cancer to come back. Breast cancer can come back months or years later.Stage 4 or metastatic breast cancer occurs when the cancer spreads to other organs or bones. There are many treatments for recurrent breast cancer.
What does stage 3 cancer mean?
Level 3 -the cancer is larger and may have spread to surrounding tissues and/or lymph nodes(or "glands", part of the immune system) Stage 4 - the cancer has spread from its starting point to at least 1 other organ in the body, also known as a "secondary" or "metastatic" cancer.
remission. Doesn't happen often, thoughSome cancers can go into remission even if they are in stage 4.
Although the overall prognosis can be poor due to cases with previous patients and older treatments, many patients with stage 4 cancer can liveYears.
Patients diagnosed with stage IV or metastatic cancer may not survive long without treatment. Treatment options for stage IV cancer may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, biological therapy, hormone therapy, or surgery, or a combination of these modalities.
Second types of cancer are becoming increasingly commonbecause more people are living longer after their first cancer diagnosis than ever before. About 1 in 6 cancer patients have had another type of cancer in the past.
A cancer survivor's greatest concern is often cancer recurrence. It is important for all cancer survivors to knowIt is possible to get another (new) cancer even after surviving the first one. This is called the second cancer. A second cancer is a new cancer unrelated to a previous cancer diagnosis.
Your doctor may direct you to look out for certain signs or symptoms of a recurrence. If your doctor suspects the cancer is coming back, you'll likely need other diagnostic tests to learn more. This may include laboratory tests such as blood and urine tests, imaging scans, or a biopsy.
recurrent illness,characterized by repeated alternation between acute relapse and long remission, can occur with both common conditions, such as ear infections, and serious chronic conditions, such as HIV infection or multiple sclerosis.
Sometimes, despite the best care and significant advances in treatment, the cancer comes back. When this happens, it is called a recurrence or relapse.The likely recurrence is that some of the original cancer cells have survived the initial treatment.
Regional recurrence means the tumor has grown to lymph nodes or tissues near the original cancer. Distant recurrence means the cancer has spread to organs or tissues far removed from the original cancer.When cancer spreads to a distant location in the body, it is called metastasis or metastatic cancer.
What does recurrence mean in a diagnosis?
(ree-KER-ents)Cancer that has come back (recurred), usually after a period in which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer can return to the same site as the original (primary) tumor or to a different site in the body. Also called recurrent cancer.
The way I see it, a chronic condition is always present, sometimes more symptomatic than others.In the case of a recurrence, the treated condition no longer exists, then it comes back.
Stage IV. This stage means thatthe cancer has spread to other organs or parts of the body. It can also be referred to as advanced or metastatic cancer.
One to three percentof survivors develop a second cancer that is different from the originally treated cancer. The risk is low and a larger number of survivors are living longer due to improved treatment methods. However, even the thought of the possibility of a second cancer can be distressing.