Recurrence dynamics does not depend on the recurrence site

[Hopeful]

http://breast-cancer-research.com/content/pdf/bcr2152.pdf

Hopeful

[Rich66]

Hmmm. What?

[Becky]

Rich

This article is pointing out that there are 2 distinct times when recurrence most typically occurs. These include at about 2 yrs and then again at about 5 yrs (peaks only but not a steadfast rule as breast cancer doesn't read the book:)). These recurrences (whether distant or local and if distant the organ involved) aren't related to where or how the recurrence happens.

All this means is that a recurrence in the liver doesn't happen at 2 yrs more often than at 5 yrs and a local recurrence has those same stats. Recurrence site is random.

At least that's how I read it.

[Hopeful]

Becky,

Yes, I read it the same way you do.

Rich,

The authors believe these recurrence peaks support a theory of tumor dormancy, wherein the seeding of distant sites occurs early in the carcinogenic process, but the "seeds" stay dormant until some trigger tells them to grow. The belief is that surgery is the trigger for the 2 year peak. They also state that the tumor environment has to be favorable for the metastatic seeds to grow. Their conclusion is that bc progression has a common pathway with well defined steps.

Hopeful