QUALITY-OF-LIFE IN EARLY PROSTATE-CANCER - DO WE KNOW ENOUGH TO TREAT

Informed consent is especially important for patients with early (nonm etastatic) prostate cancer. Because it occurs in older men and usually grows slowly, most newly diagnosed patients are likely to live many y ears and most likely will die without symptoms of metastatic cancer. T he complications of treatment, however, may begin within months and be permanent. Recent studies using modem survey techniques are beginning to provide accurate information on treatment complications. A careful , thorough discussion between doctor and patient is necessary to ident ify the best available therapy for each patient.