Next Steps

Follow-up

Follow-up care is especially important for patients for whom a more conservative approach (such as watchful waiting) was taken to the treatment of prostate cancer. It is imperative that you see your urologist for digital rectal exams, PSA level tests, and other tests as recommended to follow the progression of cancer growth.

For men who have undergone radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, or both, follow-up care is important to prevent recurrence of cancer.

• PSA has been shown useful in detecting recurrences. PSA levels should be less than 0.2 ng/mL after radical prostatectomy.
  
  
• PSA levels should be checked every 3 months for 1 year, every 6 months for the second year, and annually after that.
  
  
• You should have a physical examination, including digital rectal exam, every 3 months for 1 year, then every 6 months for a year, then yearly after that.

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Prostate Cancer - Symptoms At Onset Of Disease

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