This drawing shows the male anatomy and a close-up of the prostate gland.
Graphic 65675 Version 3.0
View Originalfigure 1Prostate gland
This drawing shows the male anatomy and a close-up of the prostate gland.
Graphic 65675 Version 3.0
View OriginalActive surveillance
Prostatectomy
External-beam radiation therapy
Brachytherapy
What is involved?
Active surveillance involves having exams and tests done on a regular basis. When and if your cancer starts growing, you will need active treatment.
This involves surgery to remove the prostate gland. After surgery, you will need to stay in the hospital for a few days.
This involves getting radiation every day for a number of weeks.
This involves a 1-time treatment to get a source of radiation put in your prostate gland
What are the benefits?
You can avoid the side effects from surgery, external-beam radiation therapy, and brachytherapy as long as possible.
The cancer is treated right away.
The cancer is treated right away.
The cancer is treated right away.
What are the downsides or side effects?
You will need to be monitored for a long time, possibly the rest of your life. This might involve many biopsies.
You know that you have cancer in your body, which might worry you.
Also, your cancer might start growing more quickly and be harder to treat.
This is major surgery. All surgeries can cause pain, infection, or bleeding.
Side effects from a prostatectomy sometimes include trouble with sex and leaking urine.
Short-term side effects include having frequent bowel movements or urinating often.
Long-term side effects sometimes include trouble with sex or having frequent bowel movements.
You need to avoid being near children or pregnant women during treatment.
Short-term side effects can include having frequent bowel movements, urinating a lot, or having pain with urination
Long-term side effects sometimes include trouble with sex and leaking urine.
Will I need further treatment?
Yes, you will need to have surgery or radiation therapy if and when your cancer starts to grow.
Probably not.
Probably not.
Probably not.
Will the treatment affect my sex life?
Probably not.
Maybe. Men sometimes have trouble getting or keeping an erection after surgery.
Maybe. Men sometimes have trouble getting or keeping an erection after external-beam radiation therapy.
Maybe. Men sometimes have trouble getting or keeping an erection after brachytherapy.
What is the chance that my cancer will come back after treatment?
With active surveillance, the cancer is in your body until it is treated. Many men will have treatment for their cancer at some point.
Very low.
Very low.
Very low.
Graphic 85784 Version 1.0