Active Surveillance
Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research's Everyman Centre have shown that Active Surveillance of men with early-stage, localised prostate cancer is an option for managing the disease. Patients under Active Surveillance are regularly monitored and are treated if, and when, their cancer shows signs of growing. It has now been included in the NICE guidelines for the management of localised prostate cancer.
This trial, led by the ICR's Everyman scientist Dr Chris Parker, is examining men recently diagnosed with prostate cancer who have chosen Active Surveillance rather than immediate treatment. Prostate cancer treatments, such as surgery or radiotherapy, come with significant side-effects including impotence. Many men diagnosed with prostate cancer will never require treatment, so Active Surveillance allows patients to delay or avoid side-effects.
This trial will recruit 750 men with localised prostate cancer. It will look at how many men will need treatment in the future and how many men will never need treatment.
Recruitment began in 2002 and is taking place at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton.
For more information about this trial and the eligibility criteria visit CancerHelp UK.
For information about early results from the trial visit the Everyman news section.
