Cancer
(HealthDay): "HealthDay - WEDNESDAY, May 4 (HealthDay News) -- Among men under 65 with
early stage prostate cancer, those who have the prostate gland removed are
less likely to die than those who adopt a 'watchful waiting' approach,
according to a new long-term study out of Europe."
Men with prostate cancer face a confusing maze of options today, including not only surgery but hormone therapy, different kinds of radiation therapy and even simply foregoing medical treatment while monitoring the cancer closely ("watchful waiting," also known as "active surveillance").
"Watchful waiting" is often recommended when a man is not expected to die of the cancer and would like to avoid the risk of the debilitating side effects associated with prostate cancer treatment. These may include: incontinence and erectile dysfunction (surgery); erectile dysfunction and secondary cancers (radiation therapy); nausea, breast growth, liver problems (hormonal therapy); and weakness, hair loss, fluid retention (chemotherapy).
