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- $Unique_ID{BRK00801}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Cancer Recurrence After Treatment}
- $Subject{cancer recurrent treatment treatments remission cancers carcinoma
- tumor tumors cancerous surgery surgeries operation operations neoplasm
- neoplasms radiation anticancer drugs growths hormones hormone therapy}
- $Volume{B-0}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Cancer Recurrence After Treatment
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-
- QUESTION: After all I have been through, I was convinced I had my cancer
- licked, only to find it has returned. Why? What treatments can be used now
- to fight back?
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-
- ANSWER: Cancer--the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in your body that
- eventually take over and replace normal cells--is a hard-to-fight disease and
- it may recur after it was thought to be cured or in remission. In
- recurrences, some abnormal cells from the original cancer took root within the
- body and started a new tumor. These cells escaped the original treatment and
- were not detected because they were too small. Later, after the cells
- developed and grew, a new tumor is detected.
- A recurrent cancer can appear almost anywhere in the body, but it is
- considered to be the same type as the original cancer, no matter where it is.
- A recurrence of lung cancer may be in a bone, but it is still lung cancer.
- Because it is the same type of cancer, usually the treatment will be similar
- to that used for the original cancer, but may be more intensive.
- Treatment for most recurrent cancer can include surgery, radiation, and
- anticancer drugs. Some tumor growths in the reproductive organs may be
- treated with hormone therapy in addition.
- Of course, one of the worst parts about recurrent cancer is the emotional
- roller-coaster you have been on. Facing cancer again is an even greater
- challenge than the first time because, after getting through one or more
- courses of therapy and feeling that the disease is beaten, there is a great
- sense of fear and shock when it recurs. All cancer patients can help
- themselves and their treatment by following their physician's instructions and
- knowing that though it may take longer than you thought it would, you can
- still lick this disease. You did it before, you CAN do it again. You can
- find the strength in the people who care for you, the family that loves you,
- and most important, within yourself. Good Luck!
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-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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