Word parts
What it means
When a condition comes back after treatment or a time without signs of it. In cancer, a recurrence may be local (in the same place), regional (in nearby lymph nodes) or distant (in other organs). Infections, ulcers, kidney stones and blood clots can also recur.
For the nurse
Teach the client the signs that might mean the problem is back and when to call, and the steps that lower the chance of it returning, such as finishing medicines and keeping follow-up visits.
At a glance
| Spanish | recurrencia |
|---|---|
| Also written | recurrences, recur, recurs |
Related terms
exacerbation
A time when a long-term disease suddenly gets worse, or its symptoms flare up.
carcinoma
A cancer that starts in the cells that line the skin or the inside and outside surfaces of organs.
chronic condition
A health problem that lasts a long time, usually a year or more, and needs ongoing care or limits daily life.