Current decision-making in prostate cancer therapy.
OBJECTIVE
Prostate cancer continues to be the most prevalent cancer among American men. Localized prostate cancer is commonly diagnosed because of improved screening practices nationwide. Several options exist for the treatment of localized prostate cancer, and this review discusses the decision-making process facing patients diagnosed with this disease.


RESULTS
No one treatment for localized prostate cancer has proven superior to date. For this reason patients have been found to use a number of resources to make an informed decision. These include physicians, spouses, family, friends, and different media. Urologists serve as the primary and most influential physicians and play an important role in the decision-making process. Patients, however, are assuming a more active role in this process as time evolves, especially with ease of access to multiple information resources.


CONCLUSIONS
In deciding on a treatment for localized prostate cancer, patients must weigh the risks and benefits of each option. Urologists must provide patients with up-to-date information on these options and be aware of the different influences that surround these men during the decision-making process.
Cox
Jared
J
Department of Surgery/Division of Urology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Alabama 35294, USA.
Amling
Christopher L
CL
D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services; D008297:Male; D010358:Patient Participation; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy*