Not surprising, since it's well known that chemo and/or radiation are blunt instruments used to destroy the [growth of the] tumour, and they may - and usually do - seriously affect the healthy cells and the immune system of the patient, which makes it easier for the cancer to reappear.
That's why there are many biopharma companies working on the targeted, "smart" drug delivery mechanisms and/or different class of "smart" gene-modified drugs which do not destroy the healthy surrounding tissues and cells.
See, for example, Virus kills breast cancer cells in laboratory - FR, 2011 September 11
New drugs could transform cancer treatment (PARP inhibitors) - FR / MSNBC, 2009 June 24
Gene therapy and stem cells unite - FR / BBC, 2011 October 12
Recent discovery of the "cancer stem cells" as the likely initial culprit of cancer growth make it seem likely that tumour growth is just an early "symptom" of cell mutation and migration, not the actual "cause" of the growth, thereby destroying the tumour or inhibiting its growth in and of itself - without destroying cancer stem cells - is not the real cure but rather treating the symptom, though in many cases it may be sufficient as cancer stem cells might be destroyed or modified as well.
Evidence Grows That Cancer Has Its Own Stem Cells - FR / USN, 2012 August 01
Another pathway to treatment and/or prevention is boosting the immune system so it can fight cancer from developing and/or progressing.
Strengthening the immune system is also helpful for recovery while undergoing other, more "conventional" treatments, but needs careful understanding and coordination. For instance, recent obsession with antioxidants of any kind may be counterproductive to chemo therapy because much of the chemo effect is derived from actually oxidizing the tumour, so some antioxidants and other agents may interfere with treatment.
For example, NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine) which may be helpful and often used in detox (as a pre-cursor of master amino acid glutathione, because glutathione itself is not well absorbed by the system) may actively interfere with the chemo mechanism and is counter-indicative.
Some other, less "conventional" mechanisms and treatments are now seriously studied to help immune system, but more studies needed to account for efficacy, drug interaction and possible side effects, e.g., trying to synthesize or derive Isothiocyanates (ITCs) from natural sources, to affect certain mutant genes:
How Wasabia japonica kills cancer.
So always consult your therapist(s) if you think you found something or the information that might be helpful in treatment - it might help them and you.
Thank you for posting that information.
Those studies and many others out there today are very exciting. And, in recent years, many other new types of targeted treatments are being used for certain types of cancers, such as breast cancer. I just wish patients with all types of cancer didn’t have to wait so long for the newer treatments/drugs to be approved for use.
Thanks!