A recent study published in Oncology Times by a group of researchers based in New Orleans, USA, has shown that renal cell carcinoma (RCC) may return years after successful treatment.

In the study, 502 patients who were clear of cancer for at least 10 years were followed for late recurrences. Eight (8) patients had a late recurrence of their RCC, in one case 29 years later.

The metastases that recur appear to be an indolent (slow growing) form of cancer, and these patients can expect better clinical outcomes with treatment.

This study highlights that RCC patients are at a life-long risk of recurrence. The identification of prognostic biomarkers might help in determining which patients will relapse.

Read more here.