Why would my doctor take a watch and wait approach to my prostate cancer?

Why would my doctor take a watch and wait approach to my prostate cancer?

Mark Vogel (Board Certified Urologist) gives expert video advice on: What are the treatment options for prostate cancer?; How fast can prostate cancer spread?; How do I choose the right prostate doctor and treatment center? and more...

If an individual is older and has a number of health risks that put him at risk for any sort of treatment, or if there is minimum disease, he may choose to have a 'watch and wait' approach. Generally, a watch and wait approach requires frequent visits to the urologist, with rectal examinations, and sometimes additional PSA studies. In some cases, we also would repeat a biopsy at specified timing.