You are probably scheduled for regular follow-up visits with your surgeon or primary care physician. It's important to keep these appointments even if you feel fine. MRIs taken at regular intervals (every six months) will help identify any changes that might suggest tumor regrowth.

Early symptoms of cancer recurrence can be very subtle. Many people tend to ignore vague changes in health or mild symptoms. Anyone with a past history of cancer should not take a wait-and-see approach.

Let your doctor know if you start to have head, neck, or arm pain. Other symptoms to watch for include weakness (arms or legs), numbness and tingling, and loss of bladder or bowel control. Night pain or pain at rest that doesn't go away with pain relievers is a red flag and should be reported right away.