What are the chances of recovery in case of a relapse?
The greatest fear of most people who suffer from cancer is the occurrence of a relapse. Recurrences are disease relapses that can also occur after breast cancer has been cured. A distinction is made between early and late relapses.
Early recurrences occur within the first two years after the breast cancer has been cured, late recurrences occur in the period thereafter. Early recurrences are particularly feared, as they indicate a very aggressive tumour. The chances of a cure in such early relapses are considerably lower than in late relapses.
The chances of recurrences and distant metastases are also increased. The probability of survival of the disease over several years therefore decreases. It also plays a role where the recurrence occurs and after which therapeutic measures are taken.
Recurrences occurring after radiation and breast-conserving surgery at one site show a 5-year survival rate of about 64%. This means that 5 years after the relapse, 64% of patients are still alive. Recurrences, on the other hand, which occur in several places, only have a 5-year survival rate of about 24%. Furthermore, the chances of survival and the chances of recovery are strongly dependent on the general condition of the affected person and many individual factors.
Chances of recovery depending on age
The age of the patient is equally important in terms of prognosis and chances of recovery. For women who fall ill before the age of 35, the prognosis is rather poor. Such an early time of illness indicates a genetic predisposition and often leads to aggressive tumours with a high relapse rate. In contrast, breast cancer at an advanced age (from the age of 67) often does not reduce life expectancy with adequate therapy. Recurrences are less frequent and in many cases breast cancer is less aggressive.
Breast cancer in men
Men can also get breast cancer. Although this occurs much less frequently, it is no less dangerous. The main danger is that breast cancer in men is usually detected late.
There are no early detection tests for men, such as mammography, which has established itself as the standard breast cancer screening method for women. Nodules or other changes in the breast area are often not perceived by men as potentially dangerous. For this reason, on average, men see their doctor much later and the cancer has already spread further in the meantime.
However, the treatment is carried out in the same way as for women. The prognosis of the disease is then also similar, i.e. if the cancer is discovered at an early stage, the prospect of cure is also very good. With increasingly advanced stages, the prognosis and chances of cure deteriorate.
