What does recurrence in cancer refer to?

Recurrence in cancer specifically refers to the situation where cancer returns after a period of being absent or in remission. This means that after treatment has successfully eliminated detectable cancer, new cancer cells may develop and lead to a comeback of the disease. It is important to distinguish recurrence from other cancer-related concepts.

For instance, cancer spreading to other body parts describes metastasis, where cancer cells break away from the original (primary) tumor and travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to form new tumors in other areas of the body. Resistance to treatment refers to the cancer’s ability to withstand therapies that were previously effective, potentially leading to treatment failure. Worsening symptoms over time can indicate disease progression or a range of treatment-related issues, but it does not specifically denote a recurrence.

Understanding recurrence is vital for ongoing cancer management and patient care, as it informs follow-up protocols and potential additional treatments necessary to address the resurgence of the disease.