To analyze the acceptance rate and durability of surveillance among contemporary men with low-risk prostate cancer managed at a large, US academic institution.

Patients with low-risk parameters on initial and repeat biopsy were offered surveillance regardless of age. Regular clinical evaluation and repeat prostate biopsy were recommended every 1–2 years, and intervention was recommended based on adverse clinical and pathologic parameters on follow-up. Acceptance rate of active surveillance, freedom from intervention, and freedom from recommended intervention were measured.

Of 202 low-risk patients, 86 (43%) chose immediate treatment and 116 (57%) underwent repeat biopsy for consideration of surveillance. Intervention was recommended after initial repeat biopsy in 27 (23%) men because of higher-risk features, leaving a total of 89 men on surveillance. Over a median follow-up of 33 months, 16 men were ultimately treated and 8 were recommended to undergo treatment because of adverse clinical features on subsequent evaluations. Of the men on surveillance, the 3-year freedom from intervention and freedom from recommended intervention was 87% (95% CI, 78-93) and 93% (95% CI, 85-97), respectively.

Acceptance of surveillance (57%) in low-risk patients in this series is substantially higher than previous reports, and approximately one-third of these patients are ultimately managed by surveillance using stringent criteria. The risk of reclassification to a more aggressive cancer over short-term follow-up in appropriately selected patients is low.