The surprising finding, after 12 years, was that there was no difference in survival between surgery and watchful waiting in the Low-Risk or in the Intermediate-Risk group.  On the other hand, men who were in the High-Risk category did benefit with improved 12-year survival when treated with immediate surgery compared to the men with High-Risk disease who did watchful waiting. 

More and more men are embarking on active surveillance—close monitoring of their prostate cancer—rather than implementing immediate radical therapy. Of course, only individuals with carefully selected low-grade prostate cancer are eligible for this approach. During the extended observation period many men enquire if there are nontoxic interventions to improve their odds that the cancer will stay dormant. The important issue of diet often arises though that is not the subject of today’s topic. Hormonal treatment, on the other hand, is a treatment that calls for further discussion.