Watchful waiting is a wait-and-see approach. The person may get better (or not get worse) without treatment; if the condition worsens, the person and his or her doctor will decide what to do next.

The length of the watchful waiting period is determined by:

• The severity of the symptoms.
• The progression of the problem if not treated.
• The risks and benefits of waiting.
• The person's age and medical history.