Doctors often advise men to wait and see if the low-risk prostate tumor worsens during active surveillance rather than rushing to treat the disease. As low-risk tumors rarely cause harm, radiation or surgery can cause impotence and urinary leakage. In a new report, a group of experts debated that the treatment could be reduced after the removal of the word “Cancer” for low-risk tumors. They added that tumors rated less than 6 on the Gleason score cannot invade other organs but can scare patients into receiving unnecessary treatments. They reported that less than 1% of men with GS6 tumors develop metastatic disease or die within 15 years from initial diagnosis.

In their paper published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, they added that downplaying the significance of cancer does not help in reducing the psychological effect on the patient or their families. Dropping the word from 2,68,000 cancers diagnosed annually in the US is not a new idea. Similar ideas were proposed back in 2011.

Scott Eggener, a urologic oncologist and professor of surgery at the University of Chicago stated that active surveillance has increased for about 60% of cases in GS6 cancer cases. He also added that reducing unnecessary treatment could reduce cost and boost prostate-specific antigen testing for prostate cancer. Patients with prostate cancer have an increased risk of developing depression and suicidal thoughts, a higher rate of life insurance, and social life disruption if they choose active surveillance over treatment. All these detrimental factors can be eliminated with a single change in terminology. (Source: https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/972337 )