Recurrence
The term recurrence, in medical terms, refers to the return of a sign, symptom, or disease after a remission. Specifically, when cancer is involved, the term usually refers to the return of cancer cells in the same location or another location within the body, thus indicating a return of the disease.
What Causes a Recurrence?
Treating cancer can be tricky and often some cancer cells from the first round of the disease are left behind, even if a patient is considered to be in remission. It is these stray cells that cause the disease to recur. A recurrence can also happen when cancer cells from the original site travel to another part of the body and hide. These cells, though undetectable at first, will continue to multiply until the disease reappears.
Most experts will tell you that a recurrence is usually related in some way to the original cancer. If it is deemed to be a different cancer, it is considered a “second primary cancer” rather than a recurrence.
Kinds of Recurrences
Oncologists divide recurrences into three different categories:
- Local recurrence - Cancer reappears in the same place or very close to the first place it was found. It has not affected the lymph nodes or other parts of the body.
- Regional recurrence - This recurrence affects the lymph nodes and tissue in the vicinity of the original cancer.
- Distant recurrence - This term refers to metastasized cancer which has spread to areas far from the original site.
Diagnosing and Treating a Recurrence of Mesothelioma
Since an individual concerned about recurrence has already been through one cancer diagnosis, chances are though know what their cancer "feels like" and may suspect that a recurrence has developed. Recurrences can be confirmed or denied through the use of many of the same tests used for original diagnosis, such as x-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. Many recurrences are caught at follow-up appointments, which is why attending these appointments is integral, even if the patient feels fine.
Local recurrences may still be curable and may be treated much the same as the first round of cancer. Regional and distant recurrences of mesothelioma are less likely to be curable, and the doctor may merely suggest palliative measures in order to keep the patient comfortable for the remainder of his/her life.
When treating recurrences, your doctor will take into account what treatments worked best the first time around and which your body was able to tolerate. It is also possible to enroll in clinical trials during a recurrence.
