Recurrence

Cancer may recur (come back) because some cancer cells may sometimes remain in the body after treatment.

Most breast cancers do not recur. Cancer may recur because some cancer cells remained in the body after treatment. It is important for you to watch for these signs that breast cancer may have returned:⁴⁸

• A new lump in the breast, underarm, or chest wall
• Pain that is not relieved by over-the-counter medications
• Bone pain or fractures
• Headaches or seizures
• Chronic coughing or trouble breathing
• Abdominal pain
• Jaundice (yellow skin or eyes)
• Extreme fatigue
• Feeling ill or unwell

If breast cancer recurs, most do within the first 5 years after treatment. 60 to 80 percent occur in the first 3 years.⁴⁹

If you develop a recurrence in your breast after a lumpectomy further surgery may be suggested. This may be another lumpectomy or mastectomy. If cancer recurs after a mastectomy, the cancer will be removed. This is usually followed by radiation to the chest wall and lymph nodes.

You may or may not be able to receive radiation to an area that was already treated with radiation. Your doctor will determine what the limits are. This will depend on the amount of radiation you already received.⁵⁰