Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is most often utilized for indolent lymphomas such as follicular lymphoma. As such, patients may have enlarged lymph nodes that are not causing symptoms and patients may feel well without significant anemia or other signs of disease. Patients may be monitored monthly of every other month with blood testing, symptom survey and physical exams to determine the need for treatment. Watchful waiting is most often utilized for indolent lymphomas such as follicular lymphoma. As such, patients may have enlarged lymph nodes that are not causing symptoms and patients may feel well without significant anemia or other signs of disease. Patients may be monitored monthly of every other month with blood testing, symptom survey and physical exams to determine the need for treatment.

When there are multiple options for treatment for a health problem or when the risks of treatment are high and the benefits are uncertain, it may be best to give yourself and your doctor time to observe your problem and get more information.

You should always talk to your doctor to figure out the best treatment at any time in your illness.

For more information about watchful waiting, see our piece at preparedpatientforum.org: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue5.cfm
When there are multiple options for treatment for a health problem or when the risks of treatment are high and the benefits are uncertain, it may be best to give yourself and your doctor time to observe your problem and get more information.

You should always talk to your doctor to figure out the best treatment at any time in your illness.

For more information about watchful waiting, see our piece at preparedpatientforum.org: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue5.cfm

In some cases, it may be best to wait and see if a problem gets worse before deciding how to treat it. Doctors call this strategy “watchful waiting.” Watchful waiting also gives more time for patients and doctors to figure out what kind of treatment (if any) might be best.

For more information about watchful waiting, see: preparedpatientforum.org: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue5.cfm
In some cases, it may be best to wait and see if a problem gets worse before deciding how to treat it. Doctors call this strategy “watchful waiting.” Watchful waiting also gives more time for patients and doctors to figure out what kind of treatment (if any) might be best.

For more information about watchful waiting, see: preparedpatientforum.org: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue5.cfm

First of all, watchful waiting does not mean doing nothing. If you and your doctor agree that watchful waiting is a good choice for you, you may still need regular checkups. These checkups could include tests like blood tests, biopsies, or imaging scans. You may also be asked to track your symptoms and record any problems you experience.

For more information about watchful waiting, see: preparedpatientforum.org: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue5.cfm

First of all, watchful waiting does not mean doing nothing. If you and your doctor agree that watchful waiting is a good choice for you, you may still need regular checkups. These checkups could include tests like blood tests, biopsies, or imaging scans. You may also be asked to track your symptoms and record any problems you experience.

For more information about watchful waiting, see: preparedpatientforum.org: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue5.cfm

What usually happens when someone has this problem?

If I wait, will my condition be harder to treat later?

What kinds of tests or monitoring do you recommend while I am waiting?

Is there anything I can do to slow or stop the course of this health problem?

For more information about watchful waiting, see: preparedpatientforum.org: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue5.cfm
What usually happens when someone has this problem?

If I wait, will my condition be harder to treat later?

What kinds of tests or monitoring do you recommend while I am waiting?

Is there anything I can do to slow or stop the course of this health problem?

For more information about watchful waiting, see: preparedpatientforum.org: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue5.cfm

Watchful waiting is used for many kinds of health conditions. Watchful waiting is sometimes used with cancers that may grow slowly or with pre-cancerous conditions. It can also be used for minor illnesses like children’s ear infections, since many go away on their own. Back pain or pulled muscles are other common problems where watchful waiting may be suggested.

For more information about watchful waiting, see: preparedpatientforum.org: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue5.cfm
Watchful waiting is used for many kinds of health conditions. Watchful waiting is sometimes used with cancers that may grow slowly or with pre-cancerous conditions. It can also be used for minor illnesses like children’s ear infections, since many go away on their own. Back pain or pulled muscles are other common problems where watchful waiting may be suggested.

For more information about watchful waiting, see: preparedpatientforum.org: http://www.cfah.org/hbns/preparedpatient/Vol4/Prepared-Patient-Vol4-Issue5.cfm