RSS feedProstate cancer active monitoring
Active monitoring for prostate cancer is the best option for men whose PSA is slightly elevated but who do not have clinically significant disease.
Prostate cancer can be very slow growing and for many men with prostate cancer, the disease may never have a significant impact upon health.
This means the cancer remains in the prostate and particularly if the patient is elderly, he is likely to die with prostate cancer rather than from prostate cancer.
Identfying prostate cancer risk
Identifying individual prostate cancer risk is very important in order to quickly treat aggressive disease and equally, avoid treating men whose prostate cancer is not harmful to them.
If the urologist believes your prostate cancer is slow growing and low to medium risk, you may be recommended for active surveillance. This enables your urologist to monitor your individual risk, so treatment is given if your prostate cancer grows, but avoided if not clinically necessary.
Active monitoring involves the following:
PSA Testing
You will be placed on a programme of regular PSA tests. The duration between tests depends upon your individual risk assessment.
PCA3 Testing
We also regularly use the PCA3 test which is genetically based and combines very well with the PSA test to better understand individual risk.
Digital Rectal Examinations (DREs)
DREs help the urologist to investigate any abnormalities in your prostate.
Biopsy
A biopsy for prostate cancer may be recommended in some cases, but only if clinically necessary, following PSA, PCA3 and DRE assessments.
Active monitoring for prostate cancer may be judged to be the best option for you following these assessments to ensure unnecessary treatment is avoided but significant disease quickly identified.
“New assessments such as the PCA3 test, combined with specialist prostate cancer expertise, means we are able to provide accurate, individual assessments of risk. Our commitment is always to treat dangerous, growing cancers but also to avoid raising unnecessary anxiety or treating when treatment is not needed.”
Alan Doherty, Consultant Urologist,
Harley Street Urology
Active monitoring for prostate cancer includes the PCA3, PSA tests, a digital rectal examination and for men with a rising PSA but repeated negative biopsies, we can offer the new template biopsy.
