For some people, leukaemia does come back after treatment, which is known as a recurrence. Leukaemia cells may be found in the bone marrow again or, for men, also in the testicles. Having regular check-ups means tests may find a recurrence before there are symptoms. Detecting a recurrence early offers the best chance for successful treatment.
If you have a recurrence, further treatment can usually control the leukaemia and may lead to a second remission. You may be offered different chemotherapy drugs or a stem cell transplant.
Dr Anoop Enjeti, Senior Staff Specialist Haematologist, Calvary Mater Newcastle, and Conjoint Senior Lecturer, The University of Newcastle; Ray Araullo, Deputy Head, Social Work Department, Royal North Shore Hospital; Shehaan Fernando, Consumer; Narelle Greentree, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Hunter Haematology Unit, Calvary Mater Newcastle; Yvonne King, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council NSW; Karen Maddock, Haematology Clinical Nurse Consultant, Westmead Hospital; Melanie Sexton, Consumer; Dr Jonathan Sillar, Haematology Registrar, Calvary Mater Newcastle, and Conjoint Fellow, The University of Newcastle.
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