OverviewWhat is breast cancer recurrence?Breast cancer recurrence (or recurrent breast cancer) describes breast cancer that comes back after treatment. Breast cancer can recur months or years after treatment ends and you’re in remission. When you’re in remission, tests show no signs of disease and you have no symptoms. Show
What are the types of breast cancer recurrence?If you develop cancer in the opposite, untreated breast (but not anywhere else in the body), you receive a new breast cancer diagnosis. This isn’t the same as breast cancer recurrence. When breast cancer returns, it may be:
What are risk factors for breast cancer recurrence?Anyone with a breast cancer diagnosis can have a recurrence. Your risk of cancer recurrence depends on several factors:
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. Based on genetic testing, your provider may recommend additional treatments to further reduce your risk. Recurrence rates for people who have mastectomies vary:
Symptoms and CausesWhat causes breast cancer recurrence?The goal of cancer treatments is to kill cancer cells. But, cancer cells are tricky. Treatments can reduce tumors so much that tests don’t detect their presence. These weakened cells can remain in the body after treatment. Over time, the cells get stronger. They start to grow and multiply again. Even surgery to remove a cancerous tumor isn’t always 100% effective. Cancer cells can move into nearby tissue, lymph nodes or the bloodstream before surgery takes place. What are the symptoms of breast cancer recurrence?You may experience different signs of breast cancer recurrence depending on where the cancer forms. Local breast cancer recurrence may cause:
Regional breast cancer recurrence may cause:
Distant (metastatic or stage 4) breast cancer can involve any organ including bones, lungs, brain or liver. Symptoms depend on where the cancer spreads. You may experience: Bone pain or pain in the affected area (metastatic breast cancer pain).
Diagnosis and TestsHow is breast cancer recurrence diagnosed?Your healthcare provider will conduct some of the same tests you had at the original diagnosis. You may need additional tests like bone scans or X-rays to check for cancer spread. Tests for breast cancer recurrence include:
Management and TreatmentWhat are the complications of breast cancer recurrence?Breast cancer that comes back can be harder to treat. The same therapy isn’t always effective again. Tumors can develop a tolerance to certain treatments like chemotherapy. Your healthcare provider will try other therapies. You may be able to try drugs under development in clinical trials. If breast cancer spreads to other parts of the body, your healthcare providers still treat it like breast cancer. For instance, breast cancer cells that move to the lungs cause breast cancer in the lungs — not lung cancer. Metastatic (stage 4) breast cancer is more difficult to treat than cancer in only one part of the body. You may feel stressed, depressed or anxious. A mental health counselor and support groups can help. How is breast cancer recurrence managed or treated?Your treatment depends on the type of cancer recurrence, as well as past treatments. If cancer develops in a reconstructed breast, your surgeon may want to remove the breast implant or skin flap. Treatments for local and regional breast cancer recurrence may include:
PreventionHow can I prevent breast cancer recurrence?Healthcare providers don’t know why some people experience breast cancer recurrence. A recurrence isn’t your fault. You didn’t do anything wrong to cause it or fail to do something more to prevent it. Certain medications may reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence in people who have early stage breast cancer. For estrogen-receptive breast cancer, hormonal therapies including tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors block either the activity of estrogen or the body’s production of estrogen. Chemotherapy may also be recommended to reduce risk of breast cancer recurrence. Early diagnosis may make it easier to treat a recurrence. Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for mammograms and other screenings. You should also perform regular breast self-exams. Get familiar with how your breasts look and feel so you can see your provider quickly if you notice changes. And remember that most breast changes occur for reasons other than cancer. Outlook / PrognosisWhat is the prognosis (outlook) for people who have breast cancer recurrence?Many factors affect survivorship after breast cancer recurrence. Everyone’s situation is different. In general, your chances of being alive five years after diagnosis are:
Living WithWhen should I call the healthcare provider?You should call your provider if you have:
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?You may want to ask your provider:
A note from Cleveland Clinic Most breast cancer recurrences respond well to treatments. You may be able to try new drugs or combination therapies in development in clinical trials. Your healthcare provider can discuss the best treatment option based on your unique situation. When are you considered cancer free after breast cancer?The cancer may come back to the same place as the original primary tumor or to another place in the body. If you remain in complete remission for five years or more, some doctors may say that you are cured, or cancer-free.
How long does it take for breast cancer to go into remission?To qualify as a complete or partial remission, the absence or reduction of cancer must last for at least one month. The absence of symptoms is neither a measure nor an indication of remission.
Can you be cancer free after breast cancer?Women who've had breast cancer can still get other cancers. Although most breast cancer survivors don't get cancer again, they are at higher risk for getting some types of cancer. The most common second cancer in breast cancer survivors is another breast cancer.
When does cancer remission start?To qualify as remission, your tumor either doesn't grow back or stays the same size for a month after you finish treatments. A complete remission means no signs of the disease show up on any tests. That doesn't mean your cancer is gone forever. You can still have cancer cells somewhere in your body.
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