Breast cancer recurrence

Breast cancer recurrence can occur even many years after completion of initial treatment. This is often because primary treatment methods such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, as well as hormonal therapy, are not always able to eradicate all cancer cells. Sometimes cancer cells remain dormant in the body, which can lead to disease recurrence even decades later.

Modern research shows that the presence of circulating cancer cells or their DNA in the blood after treatment may indicate an increased risk of recurrence. These findings were confirmed at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) congress, where scientists discussed how detecting these cells could help determine the likelihood of recurrence.

Professor Nicholas Turner from the Royal Marsden Hospital in London and his team, as part of a subgroup analysis of the PENELOPE-B study, demonstrated that the presence of circulating cancer DNA (ctDNA) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy significantly increases the risk of recurrence. Such a condition requires special attention when planning further treatment, especially in cases where traditional therapy may be less effective.

These results underscore the importance of regular monitoring and the potential use of liquid biopsy as a means of early recurrence prediction. Discussing these issues with your healthcare provider can help determine the best course of action and approach to treatment in order to minimize risks.

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