Dr. Benson on Challenges of Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer

Mitchell Benson, MD, the Herbert and Florence Irving Professor at Columbia University Medical Center, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, discusses potential issues with active surveillance for patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

A Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre study of patients with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer who were managed with an active surveillance, found that intermediate-risk patients had a lower rate of prostate cancer—specific survival and a higher rate of recurrence when compared to those considered low-risk managed with active surveillance.

A single transrectal ultrasonography should not be used to select patients for active surveillance, says Benson. Genomic testing, MRI and more extensive biopsies are needed to give oncologists more reassurance that placing a patient on surveillance is the best course of action.