Living With Cancer - Recurring Cancer

Diagnosing Cancer Recurrence

If your cancer has recurred you may have noticed unusual symptoms such as weight loss, bleeding, a new lump or a persistent pain. Sometimes there are no obvious signs or symptoms and your doctor may find evidence of illness only when examining you.

The doctor will then want to have answers to some of these questions:

• Are these signs and symptoms caused by cancer or by some other medical problem?
• If this is cancer, has the original cancer recurred or is this a new type of cancer?
• If this is the original cancer, has it spread beyond the original site? Physical examination and tests such as X-rays, scans, blood tests, ultrasound, endoscopy and biopsy will help provide the answers to these questions.