Is there no cure for breast cancer once it comes back?

Although it is difficult to cure breast cancer after its recurrence, it can prolong the survival period, improve the quality of life and even survive for a long time through systemic relief treatment. After the recurrence of breast cancer, it basically enters the stage of incurable rescue treatment, which mainly includes surgery, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, targeted therapy and so on. The treatment effect and prognosis are related to the type of recurrence and molecular typing. For example, patients with simple chest wall recurrence that can be surgically resected, survival can be significantly improved after surgical treatment. And postoperative recurrence interval >12 months, sex hormone receptor positive, recurrent nodules <4, maximum diameter <3cm is a sign of better prognosis, and there is a certain possibility of cure after re-surgery as well as radiotherapy, endocrine therapy and other comprehensive treatments. Those who cannot be surgically resected, have multiple recurrent lesions, and are accompanied by distant metastases have a poor prognosis, but radiotherapy, chemotherapy, endocrine therapy, etc. may also achieve better local control and improve the survival rate. Even if the control effect is not good, palliative treatment is also feasible to control pain and other symptoms and improve the quality of life. For patients with breast cancer recurrence, they should adjust their mindset and take active treatment.