Recurrence

In some cases, lung cancer can come back following the initial treatment. This is known as a recurrence.

Lung cancer can sometimes recur after treatment because:

• Some lung cancer cells were left behind during the operation
• Some lung cancer cells had already broken away from the primary tumour but were too small to see.

Lung cancer is more likely to recur in the first five years following diagnosis, which is why it is important for you to have regular check-ups.

Following treatment, you will have follow up appointments for a minimum of five years. This is called lung cancer surveillance and is important as, even through your operation may have been a complete success, there remains a chance that your lung cancer could come back.

Types of recurrence

There are three different types of recurrence:

• Local: When cancer comes back in the lung, near the original tumour
• Regional: When cancer recurs in lymph nodes near the original tumour
• Distant: When lung cancer recurs in sites such as the bones, brain, adrenal glands or liver

The type of recurrence you have, alongside previous treatments, will determine how your doctors choose to treat you.

Outcomes for recurrent lung cancer will depend on many factors. These include:

• The site of recurrence
• The type of lung cancer
• Your general health
• The treatments that are chosen to treat the recurrence.