Should a 73-year-old man with prostate cancer undergo surgery?

Whether a 73-year-old man with prostate cancer needs surgery should be evaluated by a doctor based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient's condition, such as cancer stage, physical condition and personal wishes.

Prostate cancer is a common malignant tumor in elderly men, and its progression speed varies from person to person. Some patients have a milder disease and less impact on life expectancy, while others may progress rapidly and require timely intervention. For a 73-year-old man, whether surgery is necessary depends on whether the cancer is confined to the prostate, whether it has spread, and whether the patient can tolerate the surgery.

For localized prostate cancer, if the patient is in good health and has no serious underlying diseases, surgical removal of the tumor may increase the survival rate. However, for elderly patients or those with serious chronic diseases, surgery carries a greater risk, and doctors may recommend radiotherapy, endocrine therapy, or even wait and see to balance quality of life and treatment effects.

It is recommended that the elderly and their families fully communicate with the treatment team, comprehensively evaluate the disease progression and personal situation, and follow professional medical advice. If there are any concerns about the treatment plan, you can seek a second medical opinion to help determine the appropriate treatment method.