PROSTATE EMBOLIZATION
Minimally invasive treatment of urinary symptoms in men with an enlarged prostate.
WHAT IS BPH?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia refers to enlargement of the prostate, it is the most common non-cancerous tumor in men. One fourth of men age 55 have symptomatic BPH. Chances of symptoms increase with age and over half of men over 75 have symptoms.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BPH?
Frequent or urgent need to urinate.
Increased frequency of urination at night (nocturia).
Difficulty starting urination.
Weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts.
Dribbling at the end of urination.
Inability to completely empty the bladder.
IS PROSTATE ARTERY EMBOLIZATION RIGHT FOR YOU?
If symptoms are poorly controlled with medication treatment of BPH may be beneficial.
Prostate artery embolization is much less invasive than surgical treatment options with no major incisions and a small puncture in the groin or wrist artery.
The procedure has a lower risk of urinary incontinence and sexual side effects such as erectile dysfunction than surgical options.
The procedure can be performed as an outpatient with no need to stay in the hospital.
DETAILS OF THE PROCEDURE
General anesthesia is not required, most patients receive iv medication that makes them sedated, similar to a colonoscopy.
The arteries are accessed through a puncture smaller than 2 millimeters in diameter.
A small flexible tube called a catheter is gently advanced to the small arteries that supply both sides of the prostate.
Through the catheter very small beads, about the size of grains of sand, are slowly injected.
Over time the lack of blood flow to the prostate results in shrinking and improvement of urinary symptoms.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS PROSTATE ARTERY EMBOLIZATION?
The procedure is relatively new and many patients are unaware of this new treatment technique. There have been many high quality studies showing the effectiveness and safety of prostate artery embolization. Inland Imaging has performed many prostate artery embolizations, here is a quote from one patient:
“If you have this problem this is a heck of a good way to fix it and get a nice and easy fix. I am tickled with my results. Compared to surgery this was painless.”
REFERENCES
Society of Interventional Radiology Consensus statement on Prostate artery embolization.
Prostate artery embolization (PAE) is an acceptable minimally invasive treatment option for appropriately selected men with BPH and moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms.
PAE can be considered as a treatment option in patients with BPH and moderate to severe symptoms who wish to preserve erectile and/or ejaculatory function.
PAE should be included in the individualized patient-centered discussion regarding treatment options for BPH with symptoms.
Prostatic Arterial Embolization to Treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
NEXT STEPS
Patients can undergo a prostate artery embolization at our state-of-the-art outpatient-based interventional laboratory in Spokane, WA at Holy Family Hospital. If you feel prostate artery embolization is right for you or have questions please contact the Interventional Radiology team and Inland Imaging:
You may also discuss this with your Primary Care Provider or Urologist and we will be happy to work with them throughout the referral process.