Active surveillance for prostate cancer

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Results

By Mayo Clinic staff

Living With Cancer

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If these tests and procedures indicate the cancer may be growing faster than expected or spreading outside a confined area within the prostate, or if you begin having signs and symptoms as a result of prostate cancer, your doctor may recommend more-aggressive treatment options, such as radiation or surgery. However, many men who choose active surveillance live out their normal life span without treatment and without the cancer spreading or causing other problems.

What you can expect
References
  1. Expectant management (watchful waiting) and active surveillance. American Cancer Society. http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ProstateCancer/DetailedGuide/prostate-cancer-treating-watchful-waiting. Accessed Dec. 8, 2010.
  2. Treating prostate cancer: A guide for men with localized prostate cancer. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. http://www.effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/index.cfm/search-for-guides-reviews-and-reports/?pageaction=displayproduct&productID=98. Accessed Dec. 8, 2010.
  3. Snyder CF, et al. How does initial treatment choice affect short-term and long-term costs for clinically localized prostate cancer? Cancer. 2010;116:5391.
  4. Active surveillance. Prostate Cancer Foundation. http://www.pcf.org/site/c.leJRIROrEpH/b.5813295/k.FA2E/Active_Surveillance.htm. Accessed Dec. 8, 2010.
  5. Coen JJ, et al. Watchful waiting for localized prostate cancer in the PSA era: What have been the triggers for intervention? BJU International. In press. Accessed Dec. 8, 2010.
  6. Early prostate cancer. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Detection/early-prostate. Accessed Dec. 8, 2010.
MY01630 Feb. 9, 2011

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