Why would a physician recommend watch and wait for prostate cancer?
The goal of watchful waiting is to observe the prostate cancer until it has metastasized (spread to distant sites) or started to cause symptoms such as pain or blockage of the urinary tract. At that point, patients may choose treatment.
For which types of prostate cancer is watchful waiting recommended?
Watchful waiting is a reasonable approach for men with early-stage prostate cancer that seems to be slow growing, especially for men who are older than 65 or have other serious health problems. For these men, it’s not known whether surgery or radiation therapy will help them live longer.
Is watchful waiting the same as active surveillance?
Your doctor might use active surveillance to monitor you if you’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Watchful waiting is another way of monitoring your cancer.
What is watchful waiting for cancer?
Closely watching a patient’s condition but not giving treatment unless symptoms appear or change. Watchful waiting is sometimes used in conditions that progress slowly. It is also used when the risks of treatment are greater than the possible benefits.
What is the benefit of watchful waiting?
The main benefit of watchful waiting is that it avoids many treatment and surveillance-related risks, problems and side effects. However, with this approach the cancer could grow and spread between follow-up visits and ultimately make it harder to treat.
What does watchful waiting mean in prostate cancer?
Watchful waiting is a way of monitoring prostate cancer that isn’t causing any symptoms or problems. The aim is to keep an eye on the cancer over the long term, and avoid treatment unless you get symptoms. Prostate cancer is often slow growing and may never cause any problems or symptoms.
How long can you wait to treat prostate cancer?
March 9, 2006 — Men with low-risk prostate cancer can safely wait up to six months to get treated without jeopardizing their chances of cancer progression, a study supported by the National Institutes of Health shows.
What was the watchful waiting policy?
Watchful waiting (also watch and wait or WAW) is an approach to a medical problem in which time is allowed to pass before medical intervention or therapy is used. During this time, repeated testing may be performed.
What is the life expectancy after prostate removal?
A man might have prostate removal surgery that has an estimated life expectancy of ten years or more and a localized, treatable cancer. Prostate removal is performed with a type of regional or general anesthesia. The person will be numb and drowsy when waking up after having prostate removal surgery performed.
What is the recovery time for prostate cancer surgery?
This surgery is done under general anesthesia. Recovery time can vary from 1 to 2 weeks to full recovery at 3-5 weeks. Throughout the process of prostate cancer diagnosis, treatment, surgery and recovery, our physicians and staff are there to guide you and ensure your best care.
What is carcinoma of the prostate?
Carcinoma of the prostate is a type of prostate cancer that occurs when normal prostate cells begin to grow uncontrollably. Carcinomas begin in the epithelial tissue—the thin tissue, like skin, that covers the linings of internal organs.