Active surveillance is a treatment strategy used for men with low-risk or very low-risk prostate cancer. Instead of treating the cancer right away, your doctor carefully monitors it over time to ensure it’s not growing or spreading.
The goal is to delay or avoid treatment until it becomes necessary—without compromising outcomes.
You may be a candidate if:
Instead of surgery or radiation, your cancer is closely monitored through regular check-ins and testing. This may include:
If your cancer shows signs of becoming more aggressive, you can then transition to treatment.
Many prostate cancers grow slowly and may never pose a threat to health. Surveillance helps avoid unnecessary side effects.
You avoid surgery or radiation and their potential side effects—like urinary incontinence or erectile dysfunction—until (and if) they’re truly needed.
You’ll still be under expert care and monitored closely to ensure the cancer isn’t progressing.
Yes. The main risk of active surveillance is that the cancer may progress between check-ups. However, with routine monitoring, this risk is low, and treatment can begin as soon as any change is detected.
That’s why it’s important to work with a trusted, experienced urologist who uses the latest diagnostic tools—like PSA velocity analysis and MRI-guided imaging—to ensure nothing is missed.
While the terms sound similar, they are not the same:
Active Surveillance |
Watchful Waiting |
Structured testing and imaging |
Symptom-based monitoring only |
Goal: Delay treatment safely |
Goal: Manage symptoms as they arise |
Typically for younger men with time to intervene |
Often used in older men or those with serious health conditions |
Dr. Samadi typically recommends active surveillance over watchful waiting for patients who are healthy enough to pursue treatment later if needed.
You may move from active surveillance to treatment if:
In such cases, Dr. Samadi may recommend robotic prostate surgery, radiation, or focal therapy depending on the stage and aggressiveness.
With decades of experience treating prostate cancer at every stage, Dr. Samadi brings:
Whether you’re monitoring low-risk cancer or considering your next step, you’ll never feel like you’re waiting alone.
If you’ve been diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, active surveillance may be the best option. Dr. Samadi will help you decide with confidence—and monitor you every step of the way.
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