The risk of recurrence is extremely variable depending on several different factors, so it is important to discuss this topic in more detail with your doctors to get an idea of your actual risk. In general, people with more advanced stage and aggressive forms of cancer are at the highest risk for recurrence. Your risk of recurrence also depends on the type of cancer you had, your initial treatment, and how long your cancer has been in remission. Some types of cancer are more aggressive than others and recurrences are fairly common, while others may have a very low likelihood of recurrence. Additionally, some forms of cancer grow rapidly while others develop slowly over time, so there is always the risk that your cancer may return. Here are some characteristics that increase your risk of recurrence:
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Risk of recurrence increases with primary tumor size.
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Risk of recurrence increases with lymph node involvement.
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This refers to the division and multiplication rate of cancer cells. Cancer cells with high nuclear grade are high risk.
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This refers to the resemblance between cancer cells and normal cells when examined under a microscope. Risk of recurrence increases with histologic grade.
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