Decatur, TX – A positive diagnosis of cancer typically comes with recommendations for highly aggressive treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation. Men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer, however, may find themselves shocked when their doctors recommend doing nothing. Active surveillance is fast becoming a popular “treatment” option for men diagnosed with certain types of prostate cancer.

“Active surveillance doesn’t mean doctors and their patients are ‘ignoring’ prostate cancer,” explains Dr. Gregory Echt, founder and lead surgeon at the North Texas Cancer Center at Wise. “Instead, it involves close and careful monitoring while men live with the disease. The option is only offered in low-risk, low-grade forms of the disease. In these cases, men can normally live out their lives without aggressive interventions long before the cancer develops enough to be a major threat.”

Since some forms of prostate cancer are known to be extremely slow growing, doctors have found that active surveillance enables them to keep taps on progression, if any, and then take action if necessary. If no action is required, men are spared from potentially life-altering surgical procedures, radiation treatments and other invasive interventions. For those with low-risk forms of the disease, the act of simply monitoring the cancer helps them avoid such potential treatment side effects as incontinence and impotence.

“While it might seem odd to attempt to ‘live’ with cancer this option, when advisable, can help men enjoy a much higher quality of life,” says Dr. Echt. “It is imperative that men keep up with monitoring requirements to ensure that low-risk cancer continues to behave that way.”

Men who are diagnosed with prostate cancer are advised to carefully weigh all treatment options. In some cases, active surveillance may prove beneficial in keeping tabs on the disease while helping patients sidestep complications that may arise with treatment.

About North Texas Cancer Center at Wise
North Texas Cancer Center at Wise, a division of Choice Cancer Care, is now operating as the Cancer Center at Wise Regional and is one of the most renowned cancer treatment centers in Texas. The center unites some of the best cancer doctors and surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists. Our expert team delivers superior cancer treatment in Texas, with the best results available.