Early-stage prostate cancer - When is observation appropriate?

When deciding on a treatment strategy, men with clinically localized prostate cancer must weigh the risks and benefits of aggressive treatments versus conservative management. The potential outcomes associated with each strategy depend on various tumor and host factors. Older men with low- to moderate-grade disease may choose a conservative treatment strategy because they face only a modest risk of tumor progression. Younger men with high-grade disease must weigh the potential for treatment-associated morbidity against the likely benefit offered by aggressive therapy.