[Active surveillance in prostate cancer]

Abstract

Prostate cancer remains among the most commonly diagnosed malignancies worldwide in men. In patients with low-risk prostate cancer, the risk of metastasis and mortality is very low; therefore, a tumor surveillance strategy can be used. In patients undergoing active surveillance, curative active therapy is postponed without compromising opportunities for cure until there is evidence of progression or the patient desires active therapy. The aim of active surveillance in prostate cancer patients is to minimize treatment-related toxicity without impairing patient survival. To maintain patients under active surveillance, the following criteria should be met: prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≤10 ng/ml, Gleason score ≤6, cT1 or cT2a, ≤2 biopsy cores with <50% cancer involvement of every positive core. Follow-up in active surveillance patients is based on repeat biopsy, serial PSA measurements, and digital rectal examination.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Gleason score; Metastasis; Prostate-specific antigen; Radical prostatectomy.