Active surveillance in men with low-risk prostate cancer: current and future challenges.

Introduction: The implementation of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening has coincided with a decrease in mortality rate from prostate cancer at the cost of overtreatment. Active surveillance has thus emerged to address the concern for over-treatment in men with low-risk prostate cancer.

Methods: A contemporary review of literature with respect to low-risk prostate cancer and active surveillance was conducted. The premise of active surveillance, ideal candidates, follow-up practices, treatment triggers, and the observed outcomes of delayed interventions are reviewed. Various institutional protocols are compared and contrasted.

Results: Eligibility criteria from various institutions share similar principles. Candidates are followed with PSA kinetics and/or repeat biopsies to identify those who require intervention. Various triggers for intervention have been recognized achieving overall and cancer-specific survival rates > 90% in most protocols. New biomarkers, imaging modalities and genetic tests are also currently being investigated to enhance the efficacy of active surveillance programs.

Conclusion: Active surveillance has been shown to be safe and effective in managing men with low-risk prostate cancer. Although as high as 30% of men on surveillance will eventually need intervention, survival rates with delayed intervention remain reassuring. Long-term studies are needed for further validation of current active surveillance protocols.