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Active surveillance for prostate cancer: Pros and cons
By Mayo Clinic staffActive surveillance may be an effective way to deal with your prostate cancer. Consider the following pros and cons before making your decision:
| Pros of active surveillance | Cons of active surveillance |
|---|---|
| It avoids the side effects associated with other treatment options, such as erectile dysfunction or incontinence. | Cancer can grow and spread while you wait. |
| Prostate cancer may grow and spread very slowly, so surgery, radiation or other treatments may never be needed. | It may leave you with a sense of uncertainty about the status of your cancer. |
| It requires regular PSA testing — PSA isn't an infallible test, and some cancers spread before PSA rises. |
