Active surveillance is also known as watchful waiting. It is the examination and close monitoring of the signs of prostate cancer or any progression in cancer. Prostate cancer is a cancer in walnut-sized Prostate Gland present only in men. It is one of the common cancers to occur in men. During the active surveillance stage, no treatment is advised to the patient and the physician and the patient are just waiting and watching carefully. No treatment in this stage means no medicines, surgery, or radiations to be involved. Regular tests like Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood tests or prostate biopsies (yearly) are done to monitor any signs of growth of prostate cancer.
Active surveillance for prostate cancer is usually preferred when the cancer size is small and is growing at a very slow pace. This is also preferred when the cancer is restricted to one part of the prostate and not showing any remarkable signs and symptoms of worsening.