Can Breast Cancer return after 17 years?

If you have had breast cancer in the past and are now facing the possibility of its return after 17 years, it is understandable that you may be feeling anxious and uncertain about what the future holds. It is important to remember that every person’s situation is unique, and it is impossible to predict with certainty what will happen in your case.

“Yes, it is possible that breast cancer returns after 17 years or even longer. However, the risk of recurrence decreases over time, as compared to the first few years after initial treatment. You must continue to follow your oncologist’s recommended surveillance and follow-up care, even many years after their initial treatment, in order to detect any possible recurrences at the earliest.

The surveillance may include regular physical exams, mammograms, and possibly other imaging and blood tests.” Says Dr. Garvit Chitkara, a Breast cancer surgeon in Mumbai.

“Easier said than done; it is also important to consider your overall health and well-being. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including eating a healthy diet, regular exercise, and not smoking, can help improve your overall health and possibly reduce your risk of cancer recurrence. It is also important to manage stress and seek support from loved ones and healthcare professionals if you feel overwhelmed.” Explains Dr. Chitkara.

It is important to remember that while it is not possible to eliminate the risk of breast cancer recurrence, there are things that you can do to improve your chances of successful treatment if cancer does return. It is essential to discuss your concerns and treatment options with your doctor to make informed decisions about your care.

What causes the recurrence of breast cancer?

Complete and successful treatment of breast cancer does not ensure prevention from recurrence. Recurrent cancer is dependent on certain factors like how advance the disease was when you started treatment or how you responded to the treatment etc. what really causes the recurrence?  The answer to that is very case specific, but below is a generalized explanation for all those who are sailing the same boat of uncertainty.

Several factors can contribute to the recurrence of breast cancer.

1. One of the main factors is the presence of cancer cells that were not fully eliminated by the initial treatment. These cancer cells can remain dormant in the body and multiply, leading to cancer recurrence.
2. Specific characteristics of original cancer (such as the size of the tumor, stage of the disease, subtype of the breast cancer, the presence of particular proteins on the cancer cells, and the grade of cancer),
3. Certain patient factors (such as a high body mass index, a history of smoking, and certain genetic mutations), and
4. The type of treatment received (some treatments may be more effective at eliminating cancer cells than others).

It is important to note that not all breast cancer recurrences can be attributed to a specific cause, and in some cases, the reason for a recurrence may not be apparent.

Who is at high risk of recurring breast cancer?

• Patient with large tumour size at presenation
• oestrogen receptor-positive tumours,
• high lymph node burden at the time of presenation .
• Such patients may need increased monitoring, more aggressive therapy, or novel treatment modalities.

What are the risks associated with the return of breast cancer?

The risks associated with the return of breast cancer (recurrence) depend on a variety of factors, including the specific characteristics of the cancer, the location of the recurrence, and the patient’s overall health. Some potential risks and complications associated with breast cancer recurrence may include the following:

• The need for additional treatment: If cancer has returned, it may be necessary to undergo further treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy. These treatments can have potential side effects and may not successfully eliminate all cancer cells.
• The spread of cancer to other parts of the body: If cancer has returned and is not caught early, it may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body, which can be more challenging to treat and may have a poorer prognosis.
• Reduced quality of life: The physical and emotional effects of cancer and cancer treatment can take a toll on a person’s quality of life, and the return of cancer can be tough to cope with.

What are the signs and symptoms that breast cancer has returned?

The signs of breast cancer returning can vary depending on the location of the cancer and the specific type of cancer. Some common signs and symptoms of breast cancer recurrence may include:

• A new lump or thickening in the breast or underarm area
• Changes in the size or shape of the breast
• Dimpling or puckering of the skin
• Nipple discharge
• Redness or scaling of the nipple or breast skin
• Swelling in the breast or underarm area
• Pain in the breast or underarm area
• A change in the appearance of the breast or nipple (such as an inverted nipple or rash)

Persistent cough, fever, pain in the chest, back, or hip, weight loss, lost appetite, seizures, headaches, and difficulty breathing.

If you have had breast cancer in the past and are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to contact your breast cancer surgeon in Mumbai as soon as possible. They can perform an examination and possibly order additional tests to determine the cause of your symptoms. It is important to remember that other non-cancerous conditions can also cause these symptoms, and it is vital to have them evaluated by a healthcare professional.

What line of treatment is followed?

The treatment for breast cancer that has returned (recurred) will depend on various factors, including the specific type of cancer, the location of the recurrence, the patient’s overall health, and the treatments that the patient has received in the past.

Possible treatment options for breast cancer recurrence may include:

• Surgery: This can consist of a local surgery to remove the cancerous tissue or a more extensive surgery such as a mastectomy (removal of the breast)
• Radiation therapy: This treatment uses high-energy beams to kill cancer cells. It can treat cancer that has recurred in the breast or other areas of the body.
• Chemotherapy: This treatment uses medications to kill cancer cells.
• Hormone therapy: This treatment uses medications to block the production or action of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which can help slow or stop the growth of certain types of breast cancer.
• Targeted therapy: This treatment uses medications that target specific proteins or genes that are involved in the growth and spread of cancer cells.

The specific treatment plan will depend on the patient’s situation and may involve one or a combination of these treatments. It is essential to discuss your treatment options, including whether you will breast cancer surgery in Mumbai, with your doctor and his team to make an informed decision about your care.

What can I do to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer?

There are no sure ways to prevent the recurrence of breast cancer, as it is not always possible to identify the exact cause of a cancer recurrence. However, there are some things that you can do to reduce your risk of breast cancer recurrence or to improve your chances of successful treatment if cancer does return. These may include:

• Following your recommended follow-up care: It is important to attend all of your follow-up appointments and to follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations for screenings and other types of surveillance. This can help detect any potential recurrences as early as possible.
• Staying healthy: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and not smoking, can help improve your overall health and possibly reduce your risk of cancer recurrence.
• Considering additional treatment options: If you are at high risk for breast cancer recurrence, your healthcare provider may recommend additional treatment options such as, hormone therapy, or targeted therapy to help reduce the risk of recurrence.

It is important to remember that everyone’s situation is different, and what may work for one person may not work for another. It is essential to discuss your situation and any concerns you have with your healthcare provider.

FAQ’s

Q1. Can breast cancer return after 10 years?

While it is not possible to say with certainty that breast cancer will never return, the risk of recurrence decreases over time, and the likelihood of a breast cancer returning after a long period of time is generally lower than the likelihood of it returning within the first few years after initial treatment.

The risk of a breast cancer recurrence also varies depending on the specific type of breast cancer and the patient’s characteristics, such as the cancer stage at diagnosis, the presence of specific proteins on the cancer cells, and the effectiveness of the initial treatment.

It is important to remember that while it is not possible to eliminate the risk of breast cancer recurrence, there are things that you can do to reduce your risk, such as following your recommended follow-up care, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and considering additional treatment options if advised by your healthcare provider. These measures can help improve your chances of successful treatment if cancer does return.

Q2. Does stage 3 breast cancer always come back?

The likelihood of breast cancer recurrence varies depending on a variety of factors, including the specific characteristics of the cancer (such as the size of the tumor, the presence of certain proteins on the cancer cells, and the grade of the cancer), the patient’s overall health, and the effectiveness of the initial treatment.

 The risk of breast cancer recurrence is higher for people with stage 3 breast cancer, which is cancer that has spread beyond the breast and nearby lymph nodes. However, it is inaccurate to say that stage 3 breast cancer always returns.

That being said, it is crucial for people with stage 3 breast cancer to be aware of the risk of recurrence and to follow their recommended surveillance and follow-up care to help detect any potential recurrences as early as possible. This can include regular physical exams, mammograms, imaging, and blood tests.

Q3. Can breast cancer return after mastectomy?

Yes, it is possible for breast cancer to return after a mastectomy, a surgery to remove the breast.,mastectomy can only marginally decrease the chances of local recurrence ( recurrence at the oprative site ) but it does not reduce the chances of recurrence (contralateral recurrence)  in the other breast or other organs of the body( systemic recurrence) it does not guaranteethat the cancer will not return.

The risk of breast cancer recurrence after a mastectomy varies depending on a variety of factors, including the specific characteristics of the cancer (such as the size of the tumor, the presence of certain proteins on the cancer cells, and the grade of the cancer), the patient’s overall health, and the effectiveness of the initial treatment.

It is crucial for people who have had a mastectomy to be aware of the risk of breast cancer recurrence and to follow their recommended surveillance and follow-up care, which may include regular physical exams, mammograms, and possibly other imaging tests and blood tests. This can help detect any potential recurrences as early as possible