Active surveillance is a method of monitoring slow-growing prostate cancer rather than treating it immediately. The goal is to avoid unnecessary treatment or to delay treatment and potential side effects.

How does it work?

Often, prostate cancer progresses very slowly and may not cause symptoms, spread, or threaten your life for a long time. Active surveillance may be a treatment option if you have prostate cancer that is unlikely to progress significantly.

What does active surveillance involve?

While the term “active surveillance” may suggest inactivity, it is actually a dynamic program focused on closely monitoring cancer progression. Your healthcare team will carefully observe you and administer treatment if signs of tumor growth or an increased risk of cancer progression are detected.

Who is eligible for active surveillance?

Active surveillance may be offered if you have early-stage, low-grade cancer that is likely to grow slowly. This approach can help avoid the erectile dysfunction and incontinence risks associated with treatment (at least temporarily).

What is watchful waiting?

As mentioned earlier, watchful waiting is different from active surveillance. It is common for elderly men or those with slow-growing cancer and other significant health problems to die before the cancer becomes life-threatening.

When it is evident that your cancer will progress slowly and your life expectancy is less than 10 years, your doctor may prefer to wait until the disease manifests itself before starting treatment. This is called watchful waiting. In some cases, it is important to weigh the disadvantages of treatment against the risks posed by cancer.

Watchful waiting allows treatment to be initiated only when the cancer causes symptoms, to treat them. In this case, the goal of any future treatment will not be to cure your cancer but to manage your symptoms. This is referred to as palliative treatment.

If your doctor has recommended watchful waiting, your monitoring may include PSA testing, a physical examination, including a digital rectal exam (DRE), a bone scan, or other tests as needed, and if your cancer progresses, your doctor will address it. However, this approach varies case by case.

Regular tests

Regular tests will be done about every 3–6 months to monitor your prostate cancer. This can vary depending on your situation.

• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test
• Physical examination, including a digital rectal exam (DRE)
• Prostate biopsy
• Prostate MRI (in some cases)

Treatment if necessary

If your cancer is growing more quickly than expected or changes grades, your doctor may recommend active treatment (radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, and/or hormone therapy).

Around 25–30% of men under active surveillance end up having to undergo treatment because of signs of cancer growth. The cure rate remains the same as if you had not had active surveillance.

Emotions you may feel

It is normal to worry about your cancer growing and spreading faster than expected. Some men may find it too stressful to have their prostate cancer watched or monitored without active treatment. For these men, immediate therapy may be the preferred option. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor.

What you can do

Think about your values

Most men with low-risk prostate cancer have time to think about their choices. These tips may help you reach a decision.

Discuss these questions with your spouse or partner:

• Do I want to get rid of my cancer, even if I might have sexual or urinary problems?
• Which side effects would upset me most?
• Would I be okay with active surveillance, even if I am worried and have to see the doctor more often?

Review your health history

• Give your cancer care team your full personal and family medical histories.
• Ask how your age and general health could affect treatment
• Ask if you have any condition that might increase the risks of treatment, for example, conditions such as diabetes, heart problems, or bowel disease might increase your risk of sexual, urinary, or bowel problems.

Learn

Find out all of your treatment options

Ask your doctors about each choice, including benefits and side effects. Some doctors only suggest the option they know best. Typically:

• a radiation oncologist can discuss active surveillance and radiation treatment.
• a urologist can discuss active surveillance and surgery.

Talk about your choices with these physicians and your family doctor.