Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer
Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer
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RPCI Explains New Research Supporting Use of Active Surveillance for Low-Risk Prostate Cancer
New research released April 12, 2011 from Johns Hopkins supports the use of active surveillance, also known as watchful waiting, for men with low-grade prostate cancer. The study shows that delaying prostate cancer intervention treatments, such as surgery, in men with very low-risk disease for as long as 10 years did not do apparent harm.
James L. Mohler, MD, Chair, Urology and Senior Vice President, Translational Research at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), shared his insight about the findings and what it means for the treatment of prostate cancer on WBEN Radio.
The abstract from the study can be found on the Journal of Clinical Oncology’s website.
About Active Surveillance and Prostate Cancer Treatment Options
Prostate cancer experts at Roswell Park have long cautioned about rushing into unnecessary treatment for prostate cancer. In 2010, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) updated the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines for Oncology™ for Prostate Cancer to include a new “very low risk” category. In the updated guidelines, active surveillance monitoring was made more rigorous for men in the very-low-risk category. The 23-member NCCN Guidelines Panel for Prostate Cancer is chaired by RPCI’s Dr. James Mohler.
You may choose active surveillance if the risks and possible side effects of treatment outweigh the possible benefits. Your doctor may offer this choice if you are older or have other serious health problems. Your doctor may also suggest active surveillance if you are diagnosed with early stage prostate cancer that seems to be slow-growing. Your doctor will offer you treatment if symptoms occur or get worse.
Active surveillance avoids or delays the side effects of surgery and radiation, but this choice has risks. It may reduce the chance to control cancer before it spreads. Also, it may be harder to cope with surgery and radiation therapy as you age.
You may decide against active surveillance if you do not want to live with an untreated cancer. If you choose active surveillance but grow concerned later, you should discuss your feelings with your doctor. A different approach is nearly always available.
You may want to ask your doctor these questions before choosing active surveillance:
- If I choose active surveillance, can I change my mind later on?
- Will the cancer be harder to treat later?
- How often will I have checkups?
- Between checkups, what problems should I report?
Related Media
- Living and Surviving with Prostate cancer (Video)
- Proven Therapies (Video)
- Dr. Mohler Presents Expert Testimony on Prostate Cancer at Federal Hearing (Audio)
- Dr. Mohler comments on active surveillance options in the NCI Cancer Bulletin (Publication)
Active Surveillance Resources
NCCN Prostate Cancer Guidelines for Patients (see page 26 for an overview of active surveillance)
