5.2 Active Surveillance What is Active Surveillance ? 6
Advantages of Active Surveillance:
Some prostate tumors grow very slowly and never cause health problems. Active surveillance involves regular testing and monitoring. Additional or definitive treatment can be started if cancer shows signs of progression.
• Avoid or delay treatment side effects including erectile dysfunction (chronic inability to achieve or maintain an erection satisfactory for sexual intercourse) and urinary incontinence (partial or complete loss of bladder control)
Active Surveillance Protocol
• Less impact on quality of life/normal activities
An example of an Active Surveillance protocol may include the following:
• Less risk of unnecessary treatment of small, slow-growing cancers
• PSA (blood test) every 3-6 months, or as directed by your urologist • DRE (digital rectal exam) no more often than every 12 months, or as directed by your urologist • Repeat prostate biopsy no more often than every 6-12 months, or as directed by your urologist • MRI Imaging of the prostate may be paired with a biopsy
Disadvantages of Active Surveillance: • Not following Active Surveillance protocols can lead to missed signs of cancer progression • Periodic follow-up MRI and/or prostate biopsies may be necessary
5.3 Definitive Forms of Treament6 Men with more aggressive tumors may be more appropriate to undergo treatment. The type and intensity of the treatment is usually tailored to the potential risk of the disease. The most common forms of treatment include surgical removal of the prostate, radiation therapy and hormonal therapy. When a single therapy is chosen, additional therapies may be considered later if the cancer should return. Men with very aggressive cancer may be offered multiple forms of therapy at the beginning of their disease. National cancer guidelines offer suggestions as to which treatments may be the most appropriate based on the patient’s risk and potential outcomes of the treatment.
