Dr. Pelman on Determining Treatments for Newly Diagnosed Prostate Cancer

Richard S. Pelman MD, president of the American Association of Clinical Urologists and an urologist at the University of Washington Department of Urology, discusses techniques for selecting patients for radical prostatectomy or watchful waiting and active surveillance.

Pelman says the decision is based upon information that is gathered from discussions with the patient about their care as well as biopsy results. The biopsy gives physicians insight into the grade and volume of the tumor, which helps physicians decide if the patient is a good candidate for either approach. Additionally, PSA and PSA kinetics can be utilized.

The overall health and age of the patient are also taken into consideration, Pelman says. For example, an elderly patient with less than a 10-year life expectancy will not get biopsied whereas a patient who is expected to live longer than 10 years may be more concerned about developing prostate cancer.