Watchful Waiting
This can better be read as ‘observation’.
Patients with an early stage of the cancer are better managed by close observation of changing symptoms and disease progression rather than initiating treatments all of a sudden. In fact some men may never need treatment.
Follow-up blood tests, rectal exams and possibly biopsies are recommended to monitor progression of the cancer.
Watchful waiting is recommended in cases where:
- The cancer is not causing symptoms
- It is expected to grow very slowly
- Cancer is confined to a small area of the prostate
- The man has another serious health condition
- Advanced age of the patient
However, watchful waiting carries a risk of cancer growing and spreading between checkups, making it less likely to be cured.
If tests show that the cancer is progressing, treatment can be initiated.
