[Active surveillance for low-risk prostate cancer]

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Latent prostate cancer is highly prevalent, but not all cases require immediate treatment.
• Active surveillance is a guideline-recommended approach for newly diagnosed low-risk prostate cancer patients.
• Deferring curative treatments can prevent therapy-related side effects, as prostate cancer-specific survival is high.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the role and challenges of active surveillance in managing low-risk prostate cancer.
• To highlight the importance of accurate patient selection for active surveillance.
• To discuss current monitoring methods and future molecular diagnostic potential.

Main Methods:

• Review of national and international guidelines for active surveillance.
• Description of standard monitoring protocols: PSA testing, digital rectal examination (DRE), and repeat biopsies.
• Discussion of challenges in reliably identifying low-risk patients.

Main Results:

• Active surveillance is a viable option for select low-risk prostate cancer patients.
• Strict inclusion criteria are necessary but challenging to apply consistently.
• Current monitoring methods are essential for patient management under active surveillance.

Conclusions:

• Active surveillance offers a way to manage low-risk prostate cancer while avoiding treatment side effects.
• Improved molecular diagnostics are needed for precise patient stratification and individualized treatment strategies in the future.
• Accurate identification of patients suitable for active surveillance is crucial for successful outcomes.