BPH Treatment
Non-Surgical BPH Treatment in Denver, CO
Want to Avoid Surgery? Find out if Prostatic Artery Embolization is Right for You
Approximately 25% of men have enlarged prostate symptoms by the time they reach age 55. These numbers double in men 75 and older. The enlarged prostate specialists at Minimally Invasive Procedure Specialists, founded Denver BPH to bring the safest and most effective treatment options available to men in Denver. This includes treating BPH with prostate artery embolization (PAE).
Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is an effective and non-surgical treatment option for BPH. Our interventional radiologists at Denver BPH specialize in providing PAE at our BPH treatment center in Highlands Ranch, CO. To see if prostate artery embolization can address your enlarged prostate symptoms, call Denver BPH at (303) 805-7477 to schedule your consultation today.
Prostatic Artery Embolization (PAE) Treatment
Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is usually performed as an outpatient procedure, and no general anesthesia is required. During the PAE procedure, you’re given a mild sedative but remain awake.
The procedure begins with a tiny incision in your upper thigh or wrist to gain access to your arterial system. Using specialized x-ray equipment, a doctor called an interventional radiologist (IR) guides a catheter (a small hollow tube) to the vessels that supply blood to your prostate.
Once the IR reaches this location, embolic material (small particles about the size of a grain of sand) is injected through the catheter and into these blood vessels, decreasing blood flow to your prostate. The IR then repositions the catheter to treat the other side of your prostate. Depriving the prostate of oxygenated blood will cause it to shrink, thereby improving your urinary symptoms.
When the IR has completed embolization of the prostatic arteries, the catheter is gently removed. The entire PAE treatment can typically take anywhere from one to four hours to perform.
Key Advantages of PAE
PAE is a safe treatment option for men with BPH and, like other minimally invasive procedures, has significant advantages over conventional surgery.
One year after PAE, average prostate size is seen to shrink by approximately 30%, easing urinary symptoms, sparing erectile function, and improving quality of life.1 Quality of life scores suggest that patients are quite satisfied with their urinary symptoms following the treatment.2
PAE has a number of potential benefits:
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Virtually no blood loss
- Can be performed as an outpatient procedure
- Offers a shorter hospital stay compared to surgery2
- Less likely to require urethral catheterization in comparison to surgery2
- Relieves lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)3
- Can improve LUTS without surgery or the risk of sexual side effects3
- Improvement in quality of life1,2
- Can be used on enlarged prostates of different sizes4,5
Take charge.
Stop coping with BPH and start living.
Once you’ve been diagnosed with BPH, your next question is likely, “Which treatment should I pursue?” The answer to this question can be tricky, especially because there are several different treatments available. If you’re feeling confused about your diagnosis and are unsure what to do, you’re not alone! Here are a few steps to take to start working through your options and take control.
Empower yourself with information
Understanding your treatment options is key and will help you determine the best option for your unique situation. Conducting your own independent research and talking to other men who have been on this journey can be a good first step in learning what to prepare for and what to expect.
Talk to your doctor
Talk to your doctor and keep talking until you’re comfortable with what you hear. Together you and your doctor should be satisfied with your treatment plan.
Ask Questions
Come to your appointment with a prepared list of questions for your doctor to answer.
It’s time to reclaim your life! Learn as much as you can about BPH treatment options to choose the one that's best for you.
References
1. Carnevale, F. C., da Motta-Leal- Filho, J. M., MD, Antunes, A. A., Baroni, R. H., Marcelino, A. S. Z., Cerri, L. M. O., Yoshinaga, E. M., MD, Cerri, G. G., & Srougi, M. (2013). Quality of life and clinical symptom improvement support prostatic artery embolization for patients with acute urinary retention caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, 24(4): 535-542. doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2012.12.019
2. McWilliams, J. P., Kuo, M. D., Rose, S.C., Bagla, S., Caplin, D. M., Cohen, E. I., Faintuch, S., Spies, J. B., Saad, W. E., Nikolic, B. (2014). Society of Interventional Radiology position statement: prostate artery embolization for treatment of benign disease of the prostate. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, 25: 1349-1351. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jvir.2014.05.005 http://www.scvir.org/clinical/cpg/SIR_Pos_Statmt_PAE_Benign_dis_Prostate.pdf
3. Pisco, J., Pinheiro, L. C., Bilhim, T., Duarte, M., Tinto, H. R., Fernandes, L., Santos, V. V., & Oliveira, A. G. (2013). Prostatic arterial embolization for benign prostatic hyperplasia: short- and intermediate-term results. Radiology, 266(2): 668-77. doi: 10.1148/radiol.12111601
4. Bhatia, S., Kava, B., Pereira, K., Kably, I., Harward, S., & Narayanan, G. (2015). Prostate artery embolization for giant prostatic hyperplasia. Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology. 26(10): 1583-1585. doi: 10.1016/j.jvir.2015.05.024
5. Isaacson AJ, et al. Prostatic Artery Embolization using Embosphere Microspheres for Prostates Measuring 80-150cm: Early Results from a US Trial. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 2016 May;27(5):709-14.8
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What can I expect from PAE?
PAE takes approximately two to three hours at our office and doesn’t require general anesthesia. After having the prostate artery embolization at a state-of-the-art procedure suite, you can go home the same day. In most cases, recovery will only take a day or two before you can return to regular activity or work.
Over the next few weeks, as your prostate loses its blood supply, it will shrink in size. This enables your urethra to open up again, allowing urine can flow more freely. Unlike conventional surgical treatments for an enlarged prostate that can cause complications, such as incontinence and impotence, PAE has few side effects and may even improve sexual function.
Schedule a Consultation for PAE Treatment in Denver, CO
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of BPH noted, contact Denver BPH to discuss the diagnosis and treatment of your symptoms with our BPH treatment specialists. To schedule an appointment, call our BPH treatment center near Denver, CO at (303) 805-7477 today.