Watchful Waiting
Because prostate cancer generally grows slowly, it is not always appropriate to actively treat it once it is diagnosed. "Watchful waiting" involves watching the PSA level - possibly having repeat biopsies - and beginning treatment when the cancer becomes more aggressive. This is a common method of treatment when a man is elderly, when a projected 10 to 15-year life span is not reasonable, or when the cancer appears to be clinically insignificant. For example, watchful waiting can be recommended to maintain the quality of life for a man with advanced heart disease who is not reasonably expected to live another 10 to 15 years.
However, watchful waiting probably would not be recommended for a 50-year-old man who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, but has a normal, active life and no prohibitive health problems. The grade of cancer needs to be taken into account as well, as a more aggressive type would be treated differently than a less-agressive type.
