Recurrence

The ultimate goal of any cancer treatment is to remove or destroy all of the cancer cells in the body. When no cancer cells can be detected in the body, a cancer is considered to be in remission (the temporary or permanent absence of disease). A recurrence is defined as the return of cancer after a period of remission. Cancer recurs because undetected cancer cells can sometimes remain in the body after treatment. Over time, these undetected cells can multiply and grow large enough to be recognized and diagnosed. Depending on the type of cancer, this can happen in weeks, months, or even many years after the primary (original) cancer was treated.

* The American Society of Clinical Oncologists (www.cancer.net)

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