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Recurrent cancer

Recurrent cancer means the disease has come back after the initial treatment. Even when a tumor in the liver seems to have been completely removed or destroyed, the disease sometimes returns because undetected cancer cells remained somewhere in the body after treatment. Most recurrences occur within the first 2 years of treatment. The patient may have surgery or a combination of treatments for recurrent liver cancer.

• These are some questions a person may want to ask the doctor before treatment begins:

  • Is there any evidence the cancer has spread? What is the stage of the disease?
  • Do I need any more tests to determine whether I can have surgery?
  • What are my treatment choices? Which do you recommend for me? Why?
  • What are the expected benefits of each kind of treatment?
  • What are the risks and possible side effects of each treatment?
  • Will I need to stay in the hospital?
  • How will you treat my pain?
  • What is the treatment likely to cost? Is this treatment covered by my insurance plan?
  • How will treatment affect my normal activities?
  Would a clinical trial (research study) be appropriate for me?

People do not need to ask all of their questions or understand all of the answers at once. They will have other chances to ask the health care team to explain things that are not clear and to ask for more information.