Yes: Chemotherapy is often given based on the probability that cancer cells are elsewhere in the body; the cells are simply too small to identify "elsewhere". Likewise, after chemotherapy, we know from population studies treating thousands of other patients, that many will benefit from chemotherapy. Unfortunately, a small subset of people will relapse; an oncologist can help estimate this probability.
Answered 12/9/2013
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Potentially: Yes, even after chemotherapy a percentage of patients with breast cancer will have a recurrence in the future. What risk you have depends on the details of your initial tumor, the lymph nodes, what kind of chemotherapy you had, and your family history. Talk with your oncologist to find out more.
Answered 2/24/2013
5.3k views
Possible: Unfortunately, it is possible. It is important to continue to follow up with your oncologist and surgeon.
Answered 10/4/2016
5.2k views
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