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Watchful waiting, also called expectant therapy, is sometimes recommended for patients who have a low stage prostate cancer and no symptoms, or are elderly, or sick with other medical problems. Watchful waiting means that you won’t receive any specific treatment for prostate cancer, unless careful monitoring reveals that your cancer is growing.
The rationale for this approach is that many older men harbor small cancers within their prostate, but only a small percentage of these men will develop symptoms or problems from their cancer. In the majority, the cancer remains asymptomatic throughout their lifetime. For such a slow-growing cancer, the risks and side effects of the other possible treatments for prostate cancer (such as medication, surgery, and radiation therapy) may not seem worthwhile as compared with the low risk of the growth of prostate cancer. Studies from Europe have suggested that watchful waiting is a reasonable approach in older patients with small, asymptomatic cancers.
The argument against watchful waiting is that some cancers will grow and cause problems, and it can be difficult to predict which ones will do so. As with all treatment options, you should discuss the watchful waiting approach with your doctor to determine if it is right for you.
Some of the monitoring procedures your healthcare provider will follow include:
Your doctor will decide on an appropriate interval for these monitoring strategies, depending on your age, general medical condition, and information from staging and grading of your tumor.
If you choose watchful waiting, it is important to pay close attention to any changes in your health. Call your doctor if you experience any of the following:
Sources:
American Cancer Society
National Cancer Institute
Last reviewed February 2003 by Donald Lawrence, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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