Question 1

what is the likelihood of cancer recurrence?

Accepted Answer

Many possibilities: Recurrence following removal of a cancer is a reflection of tumor cells having spread before initial treatment.  The latter, results in reappearance of disease based on  the type of malignancy, its size, duration of growth and histologic grade.  With pancreatic cancer it is better than 90% even if completely removed.

Question 2

how will i be checked for cancer recurrence?

Accepted Answer

Depends on type and: Location.  Recurrence may be local and could be checked by physical examination and/or imaging.  Some tumors have markers circulating in blood, e.g., psa, cea, AFP etc and blood levels of these markers provide an indication of the tumor burden and levels go up with recurrence.  Development of mets could also be checked for by imaging and markers in blood.

Question 3

what is the cancer recurrence rate after 5 years?

Accepted Answer

????: Not sure what you are asking but if you mean chance of recurrence at 5 years, it depends greatly on the kind of cancer and the stage.

Question 4

how often should i do body examination to check for cancer recurrence?

Accepted Answer

What type of cancer?: Each type of cancer has different recommendations for surveillance based on organ of origin and likelihood of cancer elsewhere.  Please resubmit. I'd like to help.

Question 5

if cancer recurrence would i get chemotherapy and radiation again?

Accepted Answer

Not usually: Because the radition is used to its "maximally tolerated dose" the first time. However, if longer, and longer time has passed, the question can be re-visited. Once most tumors recur, wile there may be response, and symptom relief, there is precious few cures, if any.

Question 6

what are the odds of a breast cancer recurrence?

Accepted Answer

Depends: Tumor factors - based on TNM staging, receptor status, grade etc
treatment factors - optimal therapy vs. Not
patient factors - genetic predisposition - this is rarely the issue
time factor - longer the time lapse since initial therapy, lesser the odds.

Question 7

what is the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence?

Accepted Answer

Variable.: Breast cancer may recur either in the breast ("local recurrence") or elsewhere in the body (distant metastasis).  The risk of metastasis varies from very low to high, and is correlated with the stage of the cancer;  the stage is associated with the size of the cancer and lymph node involvement.  Local recurrence following lumpectomy and radiation therapy is less than 5%.

Question 8

what is my cancer recurrence rate if i had a double mastectomy  3 nodes positive, clear margins , 6 rounds of chemo and no radiation?

Accepted Answer

Small: Small but very real. Requires ongoing evaluation and monitoring.

Question 9

i am wondering if anyone can explain the ramifications of a partial thymectomy?. it was done durring a thyroid cancer recurrence.

Accepted Answer

Partial thymectomy: Your doctor removed the thyroid gland for cancer.  During the operation a partial thymectomy was also done because the thyroid is connected to the thymus.  The doctor made sure no thyroid was left behind.  This is fine and shows your surgeon took the time to remove any residual thyroid tissue.

Question 10

could sudden weight loss indicate endometrial cancer recurrence?

Accepted Answer

See your doctor: Unintended sudden weight loss indicates that there may be something brewing. Unfortunately a new or old neoplastic process is high in the differential. Please see your doctor.

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Doctor answers about:

Cancer recurrence

A member asked:

What is the likelihood of cancer recurrence?

A member asked:

How will i be checked for cancer recurrence?

A member asked:

What is the cancer recurrence rate after 5 years?

A member asked:

How often should i do body examination to check for cancer recurrence?

A member asked:

If cancer recurrence would i get chemotherapy and radiation again?

A member asked:

What are the odds of a breast cancer recurrence?

A member asked:

What is the likelihood of breast cancer recurrence?

A member asked:

What is my cancer recurrence rate if i had a double mastectomy 3 nodes positive, clear margins , 6 rounds of chemo and no radiation?

A member asked:

I am wondering if anyone can explain the ramifications of a partial thymectomy?. it was done durring a thyroid cancer recurrence.

A member asked:

Could sudden weight loss indicate endometrial cancer recurrence?

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