Observation

Active Surveillance

Prostate cancer is, in most (but not all) cases, a very slowly growing type of cancer.  It is often said that if a man lives long enough, that he will likely develope prostate cancer at some point.  This is said because autopsy studies show that nearly all 90+ year old me have at least a little prostate cancer.  Most men who have prostate cancer do not die of prostate cancer – this is especially true of elderly men diagnosed late in life.  These facts lead to an attractive option for some patients:  if a man has a small amount of a slow growing type of prostate canter, and his age or health is such that his life expectancy is 10 years or less, he may consider not having any treatment at all for the cancer, at least initially.  Under these circumstances we can often safely follow these patients conservatively by checking a PSA and an exam at intervals.  Sometimes follow up biopsies are recommended as well.  Treatment can of course be started at any time that the patient and physician choose as needed.