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Updated: Mar 12, 2026
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A New Technique for Treating Low-risk Prostate Cancer—Super Active Surveillance
Published on: November 7, 2025
998
Active surveillance for intermediate-risk prostate cancer.
1Department of Urology, University of California, Davis, Sacramento, CA, USA.
Prostate Cancer and Prostatic Diseases
|November 2, 2016
Summary
Active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer is expanding. Men with intermediate-risk disease may benefit from AS, but careful selection and monitoring are crucial, especially for those with Gleason 7, to manage progression risks.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Cancer Surveillance
Background:
- Active surveillance (AS) utilization for prostate cancer is rising.
- Optimal selection criteria for AS remain undefined, particularly for intermediate-risk disease.
- Research is needed to guide AS expansion beyond low-risk prostate cancer patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current experiences with AS for men diagnosed with intermediate-risk prostate cancer.
- To compare AS outcomes in intermediate-risk men with those undergoing immediate treatment.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive PubMed search was conducted for original publications on AS outcomes in prostate cancer.
- Studies focusing on intermediate-risk patients were analyzed, comparing outcomes where available.
- Intermediate-risk definitions varied across the included studies.
Main Results:
- Cancer-specific survival with AS is comparable to immediate radical treatment.
- Men with Gleason 7 disease show higher progression rates and treatment likelihood.
- Intermediate-risk men with Gleason 6 disease exhibit outcomes similar to low-risk patients.
- Gleason 7 disease is associated with an increased risk of metastatic prostate cancer.
Conclusions:
- AS for intermediate-risk prostate cancer patients shows potential for long-term cure, despite higher treatment rates.
- Careful selection and monitoring are essential for intermediate-risk men, especially those with Gleason pattern 4.
- Advanced imaging and biomarkers may personalize AS strategies and improve surveillance for prostate cancer.
