Oncologists cannot guarantee cancer will never recur, but they use tumor biology, treatment response, and evidence-based surveillance protocols to stratify individual risk and detect recurrence when it is most treatable. Key Takeaways Doctors stratify recurrence risk using tumor biology markers (ER/PR, HER2, MSI), cancer stage, and treatment response rather than offering guarantees Surveillance intensity varies by cancer type: high-risk cancers require scheduled CT scans ever

Relapsed multiple myeloma demands specialist expertise that goes beyond general oncology. Academic centers with dedicated myeloma programs offer access to clinical trials, advanced cytogenetic interpretation, and treatment-line sequencing strategies that can significantly impact outcomes. Key Takeaways Seek second opinions from dedicated myeloma programs at academic medical centers with specialists who actively participate in clinical trials and interpret cytogenetic markers