Skip to Content
800-533-8762
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Health Care Professionals
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
UPMC
  • Find a Doctor
  • Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
    • Frequently Searched Services
      Allergy & Immunology Behavioral & Mental Health Cancer Ear, Nose & Throat Endocrinology Gastroenterology Heart & Vascular Imaging Neurosciences Orthopaedics
      Physical Rehabilitation Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Primary Care Senior Services Sports Medicine Telemedicine Transplant Surgery Walk-In Care Weight Management Women’s Health
      See all Services
    • Services by Region
    • Find a UPMC health care facility close to you quickly by browsing by region.
      UPMC in Western Pa. Western Pa. and New York
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Services
  • Locations
    • Locations by Type
    • Locations by Type
      UPMC hospitals
      Hospitals
      Physical Therapy
      Physical Therapy
      Urgent care
      Walk-In Care
      UPMC Outpatient Centers
      Outpatient Centers
      UPMC Imaging Services
      Imaging
      Community Health Centers
      Community Health Centers
      See All Locations
    • Locations by Region
    • Locations by Region
      UPMC in Southwest Pa. Southwest Pa.
      UPMC in North Central Pa. North Central Pa.
      UPMC in Northwest Pa and Ny. Northwest Pa. & Western N.Y.
      UPMC in West Central Pa. West Central Pa.
      UPMC in Central Pa. Central Pa.
      UPMC in Western Md. Maryland & West Virginia
    • See All Locations
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
      Patients and Visitors Resources Pay a Bill Classes & Events Medical Records Health Library Patient Information
      Patient Portals Privacy Information Shared Decision Making Traveling Patients Visitor Information
      Man uses mobile phone
      Pay a Bill
      Nurse reviews medical chart
      Request Medical Records
  • Patient Portals
  • Find Covid-19 updates
  • Schedule an appointment
  • Request medical records
  • Pay a bill
  • Learn about financial assistance
  • Find classes & events
  • Send a patient an eCard
  • Make a donation
  • Volunteer
  • Read HealthBeat blog
  • Explore UPMC Careers
Skip to Content
UPMC
  • Patient Portals
  • For Patients & Visitors
    • Find a Doctor
    • Locations
    • Patient & Visitor Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Services
    • More
      • Medical Records
      • Financial Assistance
      • Classes & Events
      • HealthBeat Blog
      • Health Library
  • About UPMC
    • Why UPMC
    • Facts & Stats
    • Supply Chain Management
    • Community Commitment
    • More
      • Financials
      • Support UPMC
      • UPMC Apps
      • UPMC Enterprises
      • UPMC International
  • For Health Care Professionals
    • Physician Information
    • Resources
    • Education & Training
    • Departments
    • Credentialing
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Newsroom
  • UPMC >
  • Our Services >
  • Central Pa. >
  • ... >
  • Breast Cancer Center >
  • Breast Care Patient Resources >
  • Breast Cancer Survivorship >
  • Local or Regional Breast Cancer Recurrence
Breast Cancer Center
Breast Cancer Treatments
Why Choose UPMC for Breast Care in Central Pa.?
Breast Cancer Clinical Trials & Resources
Contact Us
Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Our Locations
Breast Care Patient Resources
What Does it Mean to Have Breast Cancer?
Understanding Your Pathology Report
Breast Cancer Support Services
Breast Cancer Survivorship
Survivorship After Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast Cancer Survivorship Care Plan
Financial Concerns During Breast Cancer Treatment
Transitioning Out of Breast Cancer Treatment
Your Life After Breast Cancer Treatment
Pregnancy & Fertility Concerns after Breast Cancer Treatment
Local or Regional Breast Cancer Recurrence
Breast Cancer Surveillance & Follow up Guideline
Returning To Work after Breast Cancer Treatment
Preparing for Your First Visit
Breast Cancer Screening & Prevention
Breast Cancer Center
Breast Cancer Treatments
Why Choose UPMC for Breast Care in Central Pa.?
Breast Cancer Clinical Trials & Resources
Contact Us
Diagnosing Breast Cancer
Our Locations
Breast Care Patient Resources
What Does it Mean to Have Breast Cancer?
Understanding Your Pathology Report
Breast Cancer Support Services
Breast Cancer Survivorship
Survivorship After Breast Cancer Treatment
Breast Cancer Survivorship Care Plan
Financial Concerns During Breast Cancer Treatment
Transitioning Out of Breast Cancer Treatment
Your Life After Breast Cancer Treatment
Pregnancy & Fertility Concerns after Breast Cancer Treatment
Local or Regional Breast Cancer Recurrence
Breast Cancer Surveillance & Follow up Guideline
Returning To Work after Breast Cancer Treatment
Preparing for Your First Visit
Breast Cancer Screening & Prevention

Chat Keywords List

  • cancel or exit: Stops your conversation
  • start over: Restarts your current scenario
  • help: Shows what this bot can do
  • terms: Shows terms of use and privacy statement
  • feedback: Give us feedback
Continue
Chat with UPMC
RESTART
MENU
CLOSE

Local or Regional Breast Cancer Recurrence

One concern that survivors have is breast cancer recurrence. Recurrent breast cancer is cancer that has come back in the same or opposite breast or chest wall after a period of time. This is caused by small cancer cells that may have remained in the body after your initial treatment. Over time, these cells multiply and can cause the cancer to come back in the same place (local) or in another location (regional).

It’s impossible to predict a recurrence. But, your doctor may be able to indicate if you are at greater risk because of family history.

Following breast cancer treatment, your doctor will perform periodic check-ups to look for a recurrence. During these appointments, your doctor will ask about your health and will perform a physical exam. Your doctor may also perform blood or imaging tests, particularly if a recurrence is suspected.

Often, your doctor will tell you to watch for specific signs or symptoms of recurrence. Tell your doctor right away if you experience any of these.

Metastatic Breast Cancer

An additional concern for certain women may be developing metastatic or distant recurrence breast cancer. Metastatic cancer is breast cancer that has spread to other parts of your body. This is considered advanced-stage or Stage IV breast cancer.

The most common places for metastatic breast cancer to be detected are the bones, the lungs, the liver, and the brain.

If you have any of the symptoms of metastatic breast cancer, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following tests:

  • Blood tests (including tumor markers in some patients)
  • Whole-body bone scan, with or without x-rays of specific bones
  • MRI of the spine or brain
  • CT scan of the chest, abdomen, pelvis, and/or brain
  • PET scan
  • X-ray or ultrasound of the abdomen or chest
  • Bronchoscopy if you have a constant cough or trouble breathing
  • Biopsy of any suspicious area
  • A removal of fluid from the area with symptoms to check for cancer cells a pleural tap removes fluid between the lung and chest wall and a spinal tap removes fluid from around the spinal cord

If you do not have signs and symptoms of recurrent cancer, there is no need for laboratory or imaging studies for metastases screening.

Coping with Fear of Cancer Recurrence

It’s normal to worry about a recurrence following breast cancer treatment. For some people, however, this worry can trigger things such as a headache, cough or joint stiffness. In serious cases it can lead to depression and anxiety.

The fact is that you can’t directly control a cancer recurrence. But you can control how much the worry affects your life.

Here are some tips to help you cope with the concern of recurrence:

  • Talk with your doctor about your risk of recurrence and symptoms to watch for
  • Keep regularly scheduled follow-up appointments
  • Talk about your fears and feelings with a friend, family member or mental health professional
  • Stay healthy by eating nutritious meals, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep
  • Avoid unhealthy habits such as smoking and excessive drinking as these have been linked to an increased risk of cancer recurrence
  • Manage your stress so that you can lower your overall anxiety

If you're not able to cope with the emotions you are experiencing, speak with a member of your UPMC Breast Care Center team. The team may suggest you see our psychologist via the UPMC Pinnacle Cancer Rehabilitation and Survivorship Program.

Need more information?

Phone: 717-545-5000

Request Information

Locations

PinnacleHealth Breast Care Center
Located at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center at the Rocco and Nancy Ortenzio Cancer Pavilion
2035 Technology Parkway
Suite 200
Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

Phone: 717-988-1450
Fax: 717-221-5544

PinnacleHealth Breast Care Center
Located at Medical Sciences Pavilion
4300 Londonderry Road
Suite 202
Harrisburg, PA 17109

Phone: 717-545-5000
Fax: 717-545-5002

Connect with the UPMC Central PA Portal app 24/7

Login or Sign Up for UPMC Central PA Portal

The UPMC Central PA Portal provides patients with convenient and secure access to their health information right at their fingertips. View test results. Get virtual care. Message your care team. Schedule and manage appointments. And much more.

Log-In or Sign Up Today

Contact UPMC

Contact UPMC

When it comes to health care for you and your family, UPMC is here. It's easy to find the right doctor, health screenings, programs, classes, and more.

Contact UPMC in central Pa.
UPMC
200 Lothrop Street Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-647-8762 800-533-8762

Patients And Visitors
  • Find a Doctor
  • Locations
  • Pay a Bill
  • Patient & Visitor Resources
  • Disabilities Resource Center
  • Services
  • Medical Records
  • No Surprises Act
  • Price Transparency
  • Financial Assistance
  • Classes & Events
  • Health Library
Health Care Professionals
  • Physician Information
  • Resources
  • Education & Training
  • Departments
  • Credentialing
Newsroom
  • Newsroom Home
  • Inside Life Changing Medicine Blog
  • News Releases
About
  • Why UPMC
  • Facts & Stats
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Community Commitment
  • Financials
  • Supporting UPMC
  • HealthBeat Blog
  • UPMC Apps
  • UPMC Enterprises
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • UPMC International
  • Nondiscrimination Policy
Life changing is...
Follow UPMC in Central Pa.
Follow UPMC
  • Contact Us
  • Website/Email Terms of Use
  • Medical Advice Disclaimer
  • Privacy Information
  • Active Privacy Alerts
  • Sitemap
© 2025 UPMC I Affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences Supplemental content provided by Healthwise, Incorporated. To learn more, visit healthwise.org
Find Care
Providers
Video Visit
Portal Login