recurrence

A recurrence is the reappearance of a disease, usually cancer, after a period without symptoms or detectable disease. This can happen at the same place in the body as the first time, but also in a different location. A recurrence is often discovered during follow-up appointments, with blood tests or scans, even if a person otherwise feels well. The risk of recurrence and the timing of it varies greatly by disease and by person. The term is important for people who have completed treatment, because follow-up appointments are often specifically aimed at early detection of recurrence.