Info
Recurrence
The return of the cancer after a period in which the disease was absent or controlled. It can be local, regional or distant.
What it means
The return of the disease after a period in which the cancer was absent or controlled. Recurrence can appear locally, regionally or at a distance, and it is one of the reasons why oncological monitoring remains important after treatment.
In short
The return of the cancer after a period in which the disease was absent or controlled. It can be local, regional or distant.
Where you will see it
Detected through follow-up imaging (CT, MRI, PET-CT), tumor markers or new symptoms.
What it does not tell you on its own
A recurrence does not mean there are no longer any treatment options. Many patients with a recurrence have responded well to further treatment.
Questions for your doctor
- How is a recurrence told apart from normal post-treatment changes?
- What signs should I report?
- How often should I have monitoring investigations?
- If a recurrence appears, what treatment options are there?
Related terms
The terms below often appear alongside this one. Each definition is right here, so you do not have to look elsewhere.
- Remission
- The reduction or disappearance of the signs of cancer in response to treatment. Complete remission means that all signs have gone. Partial remission means that the tumor has shrunk significantly. It can be temporary or long-lasting.
- Prognosis
- An estimate of the likely course of the disease. It depends on the type of cancer, the stage and the response to treatment.
- Cancer follow-up (surveillance)
- Regular follow-up of the patient after active treatment has ended. It includes clinical consultations, imaging investigations and tests, at intervals set by the doctor. The aim is the early detection of a recurrence.
Other terms in “Basics”
Glossary definitions are written for patients by the OncoDots team and go through internal medical review. They explain terms; they do not establish a diagnosis and do not recommend a treatment.