There is a 50% chance of recurrence when the original tumor was 2 cm or greater, but much depends on the specific findings of the resected tumor. Such as: Was there any extra bronchial extension, lymph node involvement ? Question: How was it removed (wedge resection, lobectomy, bronchoscopically)? Question: Was it central, peripheral. etc.? When these recur, it can be either locally or at a distant site such as elsewhere in the lung, liver, bones, etc. Usually it takes many years to recur if it is going to do so. There are many ways to check on these such as – blood and urine chemical markers, CT scans, bronchoscopy, OctreoScan, etc.
