An analysis of watchful waiting for clinically localized prostate cancer.
OBJECTIVE
We reviewed recent series of watchful waiting for prostate cancer to place this management strategy in appropriate perspective


METHODS
We reviewed the literature and analyzed the 9 articles on watchful waiting published in leading medical journals in the last decade.


RESULTS
Watchful waiting is probably the best treatment option for men with well and perhaps moderately differentiated, low volume prostate cancer who have a life expectancy of less than 10 years. However, the conclusions derived from watchful waiting studies of older men cannot and should not be applied to younger, healthier men or to those with more advanced or aggressive disease. If treated ineffectively, many of these men will die of prostate cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
Most men with prostate cancer who have a life expectancy greater than 10 to 15 years should be treated with curative intent.
Steinberg
G D
GD
Section of Urology, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center, Illinois, USA.
Bales
G T
GT
Brendler
C B
CB
D000367:Age Factors; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome