Surveillance is
better known as watchful waiting which is a prostate
cancer treatment for patients with low Gleason scores,
low PSA levels, low PSA velocities, and nonpalpable
tumor, which indicate that the disease is still small
and slow growing. Watchful waiting entails visits to
a doctor every 3 to 6 months for regular PSA tests and
DRE exams. The tumor is considered so small and probably
so slow-growing that pursuing treatment can be held
off in the interest of maintaining the patient’s
quality of life. All prostate cancer treatments entail
a variety of side effects that include but are not limited
to impotence and incontinence.
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