Recurrence

When cancer returns after a period of remission or no evidence of disease, it is considered a recurrence. If you are experiencing a gynecologic cancer recurrence, it’s important to remember that you have options for further treatment and that advances in therapies provide hope for living well after recurrence.

Understanding Recurrence

Hearing “Your cancer is back” can be frightening. It’s natural for your mind to jump to worst-case scenarios if you hear your cancer has returned. It is important to remember, though, that every individual’s situation is unique. Statistics are broad representations and do not dictate personal outcomes. Each gynecologic cancer has its own recurrence rates and treatment protocols. Learn more about recurrence in uterine sarcoma, cervical, endometrial, vaginal, and vulvar cancer.

Video: Managing Recurrence

Recurrent ovarian cancer is treatable but rarely completely curable. Advances in therapies allow many to manage it as a chronic illness. Your treatment approach should be discussed with your gynecologic oncologist, considering factors such as treatment options, clinical trials, side effects, toxicity, quality of life, and personal goals.

FAQs About Recurrence

: Approximately 70% of patients will experience an ovarian cancer recurrence. The stage of cancer at diagnosis significantly influences recurrence risk:

Stage 1: 10 percent chance

Stage 2: 30 percent chance

Stage 3: 70 to 90 percent chance

Stage 4: 90 to 95 percent chance
: Each individual’s situation is unique, and statistics are broad representations, not personal outcomes. Discuss treatment options, clinical trials, side effects, and personal goals with your gynecologic oncologist.
: If ovarian cancer does recur after surgery, it can present in different ways, but is mostly commonly found in the abdominal cavity.
: Treatment depends on prior therapies, side effects, extent of recurrent cancer, number of recurrences, and time since last treatment. The interval between response to prior treatment and recurrence is called “time to recurrence” or “progression-free interval.”

Platinum-Based Chemotherapy: Platinum drugs like carboplatin that are used for frontline treatment may be used again in people who had significant benefit from these agents, measured by long treatment-free intervals. If a recurrence is diagnosed within six months of prior treatment with a platinum drug, the cancer is classified as platinum-resistant, and a different regiment would be considered.

Discuss benefits and risks with your doctor and set realistic goals for treatment outcomes.

Clinical Trials: Consider participating in a clinical trial.

Surgery: Sometimes used to relieve symptoms or for debulking cancer in select patients.

New Advances: Chemotherapy, immunotherapy, antibody drug conjugates, and PARP inhibitors may be used as second, third, or fourth lines of therapy.
: Advocate for yourself by seeking a second opinion if you have concerns or want to explore more options. Check with your insurance provider about requirements. Doctors can help you find another expert. Learn more about getting a second opinion.
: Advances in research are promising but can be overwhelming. Ask your medical team about new treatments. Use OCRA’s International Gynecologic Cancer Conference.