Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treatment in Bangalore

BPH, expanded as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, is a condition in which the prostate and its surrounding tissue expand. It is a fairly common condition in older men. It is normal for the prostate to enlarge as men get older. However, sometimes it may enlarge to a size that starts causing medical issues in men. This type of enlargement of the prostate is non-cancerous.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia can cause uncomfortable symptoms in men preventing urine from passing through the urethra as well as bladder, urinary tract or kidney problems. Although Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, the symptoms can be relieved through treatment.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treatment

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is usually treated through Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP). However, not all patients may be eligible for this surgery. Prostate artery embolization is another approach that may be beneficial in the treatment of BPH in many patients.

Prostate Artery Embolization is a minimally invasive form of treatment performed by an interventional radiologist to lower urinary tract symptoms caused by Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). The procedure aims at blocking the blood flow to the prostate to help it reduce in size.

Before the Procedure

The doctor will prescribe Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) if the patent is not eligible for traditional treatment approaches for BPH. The doctor will have to run a series of tests and ask relevant questions to the patient to determine if they are eligible for PAE.

The doctor will thoroughly ask the patient about their condition and symptoms. Common questions may revolve around asking about the severity, frequency and duration of BPH symptoms. The doctor will also take a thorough medical history and ask about what extent their life is affected by BPH.

Then, they may run some or all of the following tests to determine a patient’s eligibility for PAE:

• Urine test (urinalysis)
• Blood tests
• Digital Rectal exam
• An MRI or Ultrasound of the Prostate Gland.
• Sometimes the doctor may also run a test called the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) to eliminate prostate cancer probability.

It is advised that before the procedure, patients ask any queries they may have with their doctor.

During the Procedure

• The patient is given local anaesthesia before the doctor can begin the procedure. They may also be given a sedative which will keep them awake during the procedure, but they will be slightly drowsy.
• The interventional radiologist then begins the procedure by inserting a Foley catheter through the urethra. The catheter is positioned in the bladder, wherein it acts as a reference point for the surrounding anatomy.
• A thin and small catheter is then inserted into the artery found in the patient’s wrist or groyne. The doctor will then guide the catheter into the vessels that supply blood to the prostate.
• The blood vessels that supply blood to the prostate are mapped using an Arteriogram.
• The IR will then reduce the blood supply to the prostate by injecting tiny round microspheres into the blood vessels through the catheter.
• The procedure may be repeated for the other side.

After the Procedure

• Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) is an outpatient procedure, and most patients will be discharged the same day after the procedure.
• The patients are advised to rest in their homes for at least four days.
• After a PAE, the blood supply to the prostate is reduced, which causes it to shrink in size, thereby reducing the symptoms of BPH. It is normal to experience six to 12 hours of discomfort after the procedure.
• Patients will also experience some pain, for which the doctor will prescribe some painkillers.
• Following the procedure, patients will make a complete recovery experiencing a reduction in BPH symptoms in about a week or ten days.
• The doctors will ask the patient to return for a follow-up consultation post a week or month after the procedure. They will also order more imaging tests to check the status of the prostate three to six months after the PAE.

Complications & Risks

Like every medical procedure, PAE may have certain risks involved. Hence one should only opt for an experienced Interventional Radiologist to perform the procedure. Some common symptoms after the procedure include:

• Mild to a low-grade fever
• Nausea
• Painful or frequent urination.
• Pelvic pain
• Vomiting

These are together referred to as the post-PAE syndrome.

A few uncommon complications associated with PAE include:

• Bladder spasm
• Blood in the urine, semen, or stool
• Haematoma at the incision site
• Infection

Who is not eligible for PAE?

Not every patient is an ideal candidate for Prostate Artery Embolization. This is why experienced Interventional Radiologists will run certain tests to determine a patient’s eligibility for PAE. In general, patients with a small-sized prostate are not ideal candidates, as large prostates respond well to PAE.

Conclusion

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is a common condition with discomforting symptoms. While there are traditional and more effective methods available for its treatment, not every patient is eligible for such treatment. Prostate Artery Embolization can be an effective treatment modality for such candidates.

PAE should only be performed by a highly experienced team of doctors, including top Interventional Radiologists. If you have been prescribed Prostate Artery Embolization surgery, talk to our doctors at Apollo Hospital, Karnataka, about any concerns or queries you may have. Our Interventional Radiologists are experts in performing the PAE procedure and will answer all your queries in detail.