Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (Enlarged Prostate)

What is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)?

Also known as “enlarged prostate,” BPH is a condition experienced by half of all men between 51 and 60 years of age, and more than 90% of men older than 80. It is caused by the growth of their prostate gland, which can put pressure on the bladder and urethra and block urine flow.
Left untreated, the symptoms of BPH will usually worsen and can lead to urinary tract infections, kidney and bladder stones, kidney damage, urinary retention (the inability to urinate) and bladder damage.

Diagnosing BPH

BPH can be diagnosed with a digital rectal exam performed by your doctor during a checkup. Other tests used to diagnose the condition include a urine flow study, PSA test, cystoscopy, ultrasound or prostate MRI.

BPH - Enlarged Prostate - Treatment Memphis

Treatment for BPH

If symptoms are mild, no treatment may be required, or medication may be prescribed to alleviate mild discomfort. If symptoms are severe, such as if a man cannot urinate at all, an immediate endoscopic or surgical intervention may be required.

If symptoms fall in the moderate-to-severe range, there are now more treatment options available. In the past, transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) surgery was recommended. However, this surgery has a high risk of complications and sexual side effects. Today, a less invasive and highly effective option is available to treat BPH – Prostate artery embolization (PAE).

How is prostate artery embolization performed?

During the PAE procedure, an interventional radiologist inserts a catheter through the femoral artery in the groin and advances it (using imaging for guidance) to the artery that supplies blood to the prostate. The artery is then blocked or “embolized” which reduces the flow of blood to the gland, causing it to shrink and soften. It requires no general anesthesia, and the patient may return home after this convenient outpatient procedure. It has a high success rate (75-95%) and an extremely low risk of sexual side effects.

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