Cancer Recurrence / Treatment Decisions A recurrence occurs when breast cancer cells reappear after treatment, either in the area around the breast (local or regional recurrence) or in other areas of the body (metastasis). Recurrences are due to cells that have presumably escaped from the original tumor before diagnosis and/or treatment and have become established elsewhere in the body. Cells can travel through the body via either the bloodstream or the lymphatic system. They may remain dormant for years, and unknown factors can trigger their subsequent reactivation, resulting in new cancers developing at distant sites.
Once a recurrence has been diagnosed, the next step is to have a series of tests done to determine whether the cancer is anywhere else in the body. These tests may include a bone scan, chest x-ray, CT scan, MRI, or PET scan. They may also incorporate some blood tests, among which are tests for tumor markers.
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