Observation: pros & cons

Advantages

• No treatment related side effects
  
  
• No change in quality of life
  
  
• Consequences of disease may not be seen for many years
  
  
• In patients with limited life expectancy and a slow growing tumor, active treatment may not be beneficial or necessary

Disadvantages

• No chance of cure
  
  
• Given enough time, most tumors will cause important side effects and loss of life

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