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Updated: Jul 2, 2026
05:19
A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance
Published on: November 7, 2025
Watchful waiting versus active surveillance: appropriate patient selection
Marc A Dall'Era1, Christopher J Kane
1Division of Urology, University of California, San Diego, UCSD Medical Center, 200 West Arbor Drive #8897, San Diego, CA 92103, USA.
Current Urology Reports
|September 4, 2008
Summary
Active surveillance offers a viable approach for managing low-risk prostate cancer, balancing treatment side effects with cancer progression monitoring. This strategy defers immediate intervention for carefully selected patients, prioritizing quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Urology
- Cancer Screening and Management
Background:
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening has altered prostate cancer diagnosis, leading to earlier detection of lower-stage disease.
- Many low-grade, low-stage prostate cancers exhibit slow growth and minimal risk of metastasis or mortality.
- Patient concerns regarding treatment-related sexual and urinary dysfunction are significant factors in treatment decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the concept and application of active surveillance in prostate cancer management.
- To differentiate active surveillance from watchful waiting and establish inclusion criteria.
- To compare follow-up protocols, indications for intervention, and outcomes following active surveillance.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on active surveillance for prostate cancer.
- Comparison of active surveillance with watchful waiting protocols.
- Analysis of inclusion criteria, follow-up regimens, and intervention outcomes.
Main Results:
- Active surveillance is presented as an attractive alternative to immediate treatment for select prostate cancer patients.
- The review defines criteria for patient selection and outlines various follow-up strategies.
- Outcomes and indications for intervention post-active surveillance are discussed.
Conclusions:
- Active surveillance provides a framework for managing low-risk prostate cancer while mitigating treatment side effects.
- Further support is advocated for prospective clinical trials comparing active surveillance with immediate definitive treatment.
- This approach aims to optimize patient quality of life alongside oncological outcomes.
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