Prostate Cancer Surgery Bomb: Surgery Does Nothing

Prostate cancer surgery may do nothing to prolong
life, according to a new study.   (AP Photo/M.
Spencer Green)

Specialists await full results of 12-year study

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 28, 2012 1:54 PM CDT 

(Newser) – Cancer experts are nervously awaiting the publication of a new study that may revolutionize the treatment of prostate cancer, the Independent reports. First revealed at a urology conference in February, the 12-year study of 731 men showed that standard prostate cancer surgery did nothing to prolong life. "The only rational response to these results is, when presented with a patient with prostate cancer, to do nothing," says a British specialist. 

In fact, prostate cancer is so slow-growing that in 50% of British cases, men end up dying of something else.   READ MORE