Private MD News

Aggressive prostate treatments may not always be necessary

Category: Prostate

Following a positive PSA test, men have many treatment options to eliminate their prostate cancer. Many individuals opt for aggressive treatments that include either radiation therapy or surgical removal of the prostate.

However, some health experts warn that these strategies may cause serious side effects for men, and put a tremendous strain on the healthcare system. This drives up the cost of care, making it harder for some men to access treatments.

It may not be necessary to take such an aggressive approach to eradicating prostate cancer, according to a new study from Gavle Hospital in Sweden. They found that men who delayed surgery by a year had nearly identical survival rates compared to men who opted for immediate treatment.

Benny Holmstrom, who led the study, said that decisions on treatment strategies should still be made on an individual basis, as more research is needed to confirm the results. However, a strategy of "watchful waiting" may be wise for many men.

"Whether active surveillance represents an equally safe treatment approach as radical prostatectomy or radiation therapy in the aspects of prostate cancer-specific mortality remains to be elucidated," he told Reuters Health.