Re: Active surveillance for prostate cancer compared with immediate treatment: an economic analysis.

What Is Active Surveillance? Active surveillance involves having repeated blood testing for prostate-specific antigen, prostate biopsy, rectal examinations, and sometimes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the prostate to monitor the size and spread of the prostate cancer. If the cancer grows or becomes more aggressive, then curative treatment with either surgery or radiation therapy is offered. Active surveillance differs from watchful waiting, in which men who have prostate cancer that is causing symptoms are treated for those symptoms without the intent of curing the prostate cancer. Watchful waiting is usually recommended for men who have a limited life expectancy.