local recurrence

Last reviewed 01/2018

Local recurrence of breast cancer relates to either new deposits of tumour within the:

  • residual breast tissue after conservative treatment
  • chest wall after mastectomy

It does not relate to new deposits of tumour within the axillary nodes: regional recurrence.

The more extensive the initial surgery, the lower the incidence of local recurrence. Hence, lumpectomy has a greater relapse rate than quadrantectomy; both have a greater relapse rate than mastectomy.

The overall incidence of local recurrence has been reported to vary from 10-15% at 5 years.