Recurrence (or relapse)

It is the reappearance of cancer after a disease-free period [1,2]. Cancer that has recurred (come back), usually after a period of time during which the cancer could not be detected. The cancer may come back to the same place as the original (primary) tumor or to another place in the body [3]. Generally, it is the return of a disease or the signs and symptoms of a disease after a period of improvement [4].

Relapse (not recurrence) also refers to returning to the use of an addictive substance or behavior, such as cigarette smoking [4].

Bibliographic references:

[1] CureSearch for Children's Cancer. (n.d.). Relapse or Recurrence. [online] Available at: http://curesearch.org/Relapse-or-Recurrence [Accessed 25 Jun. 2016].

[2] CureSearch for Children's Cancer. (2015). relapse. [online] Available at: http://curesearch.org/glossary/relapse/ [Accessed 25 Jun. 2016].

[3] National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. [online] Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms?CdrID=45861 [Accessed 25 Jun. 2016].

[4] National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms. [online] Available at: http://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms?cdrid=45866 [Accessed 25 Jun. 2016].