Investigative Options
Some researchers are investigating the use of cryotherapy (
destruction of prostate tumor cells by freezing) and microwave
therapy (destruction of prostate tumor cells by heat). You may
wish to discuss these procedures with your physician.
Watchful Waiting (Expectant Therapy)
For some patients and certain stages of prostate cancer,
the recommended treatment may simply be to “watch and wait,”
at least in the short term. This means that you won’t receive
any immediate therapy. Instead, your doctor will monitor the
cancer by performing routine
DRE and
PSA
tests. Watchful waiting
may be used when prostate cancer is diagnosed at a very
early stage or is not expected to progress quickly enough
to begin using therapy. Watchful waiting may also be used
if a patient is not expected to tolerate other therapy due
to other adverse health conditions.