When breast cancer comes back, it is known as recurrent breast cancer. Breast cancer can recur in the same breast or in the opposite breast. It can also spread to nearby regions of the body, or more distant areas or organs. Show Doctors generally detect recurrent breast cancer after finding no active cancer cells on scans for a period of time. A person’s risk of developing recurrent breast cancer can depend on different factors, including the stage of the original breast cancer, the type of tumor, and the type of cancer treatment the person has previously had. This article discusses how likely it is that a person’s breast cancer will recur, the symptoms a person may experience, and a person’s outlook if they develop recurrent breast cancer. According to the breast cancer charity Susan G. Komen, everyone who has had breast cancer has a risk of recurrence. Those risks include: After a mastectomyA mastectomy involves surgical removal of the whole breast. There are several different types of mastectomies including:
When a person undergoes a mastectomy as part of their cancer treatment, there is a higher chance of recurrence if a doctor finds cancer cells in the surrounding lymph nodes. If there is no cancer in the surrounding lymph nodes, there is a 6% chance the cancer will recur locally within 5 years. However, if cancer was present in the surrounding lymph nodes, and the person has a mastectomy but does not pair that with radiation therapy, their chance of recurrence could increase to 23%. After a lumpectomyA lumpectomy is a surgical procedure that removes cancerous breast tissue along with an area of healthy surrounding tissue. This procedure preserves breast tissue. After a lumpectomy, people may undergo radiation therapy. If a person has a lumpectomy and develops local or regional recurrence of breast cancer, a doctor may suggest a mastectomy and radiation therapy. According to older research that set the standard for treatment recommendations, the rate of recurrence for people who chose a lumpectomy is about the same as the rate of recurrence for people who undergo a mastectomy. Type of breast cancerThe type of breast cancer can affect the recurrence rate. In a 2017 study, researchers found that people with estrogen-receptor (ER)–positive breast cancer had a persistent risk of recurrence for at least 20 years after their original diagnosis. According to Susan G. Komen, factors that influence recurrence can include:
A local recurrence happens if new cancer cells grow in the same breast the cancer originally affected. If a person has had the breast tissue removed, a local recurrence can develop in the scar tissue where the breast tissue was removed. A 2021 study found a 6.7% chance of females aged 35 and younger having a local recurrence within 5 years of their initial diagnosis and treatment. SymptomsSymptoms of a local breast cancer recurrence include:
DiagnosisDiagnosing local recurrent breast cancer starts with a person discussing with their doctor any new changes to their breast or scar tissue that develop after they have healed from treatment. A doctor may perform an exam and suggest that the person has a mammogram or other imaging tests, such as an ultrasound, MRI, or PET scan. TreatmentAccording to the American Cancer Society, treatment for recurrent local breast cancer depends on what treatment the person originally had. If a person originally had a lumpectomy, a doctor may recommend a mastectomy. If a person originally had a mastectomy, a doctor may try to remove the tumor and recommend radiation. For either scenario, a doctor may also suggest hormone therapy, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy in addition to removing the tumor and using radiation therapy. OutlookThe outlook for local breast cancer recurrence varies from person to person. A 2014 study involving 267 women indicated that a local recurrence increases a person’s chances of dying from the recurrent cancer, but the risk of death still varies widely. However, a 2017 study shows that survival rates have increased and outcomes have generally improved over the last 35 years. There are many factors that influence a person’s overall prognosis after a local recurrence including:
Breast cancer that comes back near the site of the original occurrence is called a regional recurrence. Regional recurrences often occur in the lymph nodes in the armpit or collarbone on the side of the body where the cancer originally developed. Research published in 2021 suggests that a person has a smaller risk of regional breast cancer recurrence than of a local recurrence. It is worth noting, however, that this study only looked at females aged 35 and younger. SymptomsSymptoms of a regional recurrence of breast cancer include:
DiagnosisDiagnosing regional recurrences of breast cancer depends on the type of treatment a person had initially. For a person who had a lumpectomy, a doctor may recommend regular mammograms, which can sometimes detect cancer in the nearby lymph nodes. A doctor may suggest other initial imaging tests for a person who has undergone a mastectomy, including ultrasound, PET, and MRI scans. If a lymph node shows signs of being enlarged, a doctor may order a biopsy of the lymph nodes to check for cancer cells. TreatmentAccording to the American Cancer Society, a doctor will generally treat a regional breast cancer recurrence by removing the affected lymph nodes. After a person has had their lymph nodes removed, they also may have radiation therapy. Additionally, a doctor may recommend a person consider chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or other forms of systemic treatment. OutlookAs with local recurrence, the prognosis for a person with regionally recurrent breast cancer varies based on a number of factors, including:
Research shows the prognosis for regional recurrent breast cancer has improved greatly. Distance recurrence occurs when breast cancer cells return in a location away from the breast or local tissue. The recurrence can occur anywhere in the body, but it commonly occurs in the lungs, bones, liver, or brain. SymptomsSymptoms of distance recurrence vary based on the location of the cancer cells. Some potential symptoms include:
DiagnosisA doctor may use several tests to diagnose distant recurrence. They can include:
TreatmentAccording to the American Cancer Society, treatment is typically the same as treatment for stage 4 cancer. The treatment can include:
People may also receive palliative care for cancer that has spread far away from the breast, just as some do for stage 4 cancer. Learn more about palliative care here. OutlookAccording to a 2019 study, recurrent distant breast cancer has a low survival rate. Researchers found that on average, a person lived for 2 years after the recurrence developed. Survival times among the 2,319 females in the study ranged from 0 to 11.9 years. Complementary therapies may help a person feel better, although they cannot cure breast cancer. These treatments may not work for everyone, and a person should not stop traditional therapies when trying complementary therapies. A person may wish to discuss which complementary therapies are suitable for them with a doctor before they begin them. Some potential complementary therapies a person can discuss with their doctor include:
Learn more about natural treatments and breast cancer here. The exact cause of recurrence is not always clear. In some cases, the original treatment may not have removed all the cancer cells. In other recurrences, a doctor cannot determine the exact cause of the recurrence, though most cases occur within 5 years.
If a person is struggling due to their breast cancer, they can consider talking to a doctor about support groups or other counseling services to help them cope. Joining a support group allows a person to talk to people with similar experiences. A person can look through Susan B. Komen’s support resources for more information and to find local support groups. A person may wish to contact a doctor if they notice signs that their cancer has returned. Since the cancer may have spread, a person should contact a doctor about any unusual symptoms throughout their body, not just their breasts. When making an appointment, a person should be prepared to talk about any new symptoms they are experiencing. They may also want to be ready to discuss their history with cancer. A doctor may want to ask questions, order tests, and perform a physical examination. Breast cancer recurrence can develop in anyone who has had breast cancer before. A person can take steps to help reduce the likelihood of breast cancer returning, but they may not be able to prevent it from recurring. A person can contact a doctor to discuss their risk factors and any symptoms that could be a sign that their cancer has returned. What are the chances of breast cancer recurrence?How common is breast cancer recurrence? Most local recurrences of breast cancer occur within five years of a lumpectomy. You can lower your risk by getting radiation therapy afterward. You have a 3% to 15% chance of breast cancer recurrence within 10 years with this combined treatment.
What percentage of cancer survivors have a recurrence?Soft tissue sarcomas recur in approximately 50% of patients after adjuvant chemotherapy, and for most patients who are diagnosed in late stages, the rate of recurrence approaches 100%.
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Related Articles.. What is the recurrence rate of stage 2 breast cancer?Stage 2 breast cancer generally has a good prognosis and can be cured with treatments. On average, 7 to 11 percent of women with early breast cancer may experience a local recurrence in the first five years following treatment.
Does breast cancer usually come back?Recurrent breast cancer may occur months or years after your initial treatment. The cancer may come back in the same place as the original cancer (local recurrence), or it may spread to other areas of your body (distant recurrence).
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