For Those Seeking Non-Surgical Treatment for Prostate Enlargement: Is Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE) Right for You?

Hello, I am Prof. Dr. Aykut Recep Aktaş. My area of expertise is Interventional Radiology, which offers modern, minimally invasive treatment options to our patients. Interventional radiology is a medical specialty that provides diagnosis and treatment of many diseases in the body without surgery or with small incisions, performed with advanced imaging techniques.

Today, we will discuss Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE), a non-surgical treatment method we offer for benign prostate enlargement (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia - BPH), a condition many men encounter as they age, which can significantly affect their quality of life. I will try to answer frequently asked questions from patients who are hesitant about surgery and are looking for a less invasive treatment offering faster recovery.

What is Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE) and How Does it Work?

PAE is a minimally invasive Interventional Radiology procedure aimed at shrinking the enlarged prostate gland and alleviating symptoms by blocking the blood vessels that supply it. During this procedure, a very small incision (usually pinhole-sized) is made in the groin area, through which a catheter (a thin tube) is inserted. Guided by imaging, this catheter is advanced to the arteries that supply the prostate gland.

Subsequently, microscopic particles (tiny beads) are injected into these vessels to block blood flow. The prostate tissue, deprived of blood flow, shrinks over time, its swelling reduces, and the pressure it exerts on the urinary tract lessens. This significantly improves the bothersome urinary symptoms caused by BPH.

Why Choose PAE? What Are Its Advantages?

For patients who are anxious about surgery or are not suitable for surgical procedures, PAE offers several significant advantages:

• Minimally Invasive: Requires no large incisions or stitches. It is usually performed through a pinhole-sized entry point in the groin.
• Fast Recovery: Hospital stay is short (usually discharge on the same day or the next day). The return to daily activities is much quicker compared to surgery.
• No General Anaesthesia Required: In most cases, it can be performed under local anaesthesia and sedation (twilight sleep), which is important for patients who wish to avoid the risks of general anaesthesia.
• Preservation of Sexual Function: The risks of sexual side effects such as retrograde ejaculation (semen flowing backward) that can be seen with surgical interventions are much lower with PAE.
• Reduced Need for Catheter Use: The need for a urinary catheter after the procedure is usually short-term or non-existent.
• Repeatable: It is a method that can be repeated if necessary.

Is Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE) Right for You?

PAE may not be suitable for every patient with benign prostate enlargement. A detailed evaluation is essential to determine the most appropriate candidates. Generally, the following conditions are among the suitability criteria for PAE:

• Patients who have not responded to medical treatment or cannot tolerate the side effects of medication.
• Patients who are apprehensive about surgery or have high surgical risks (anaesthesia, bleeding, etc.).
• Patients living with an indwelling catheter who wish to be free of it.
• Patients who wish to preserve their sexual functions.
• Patients with symptomatic BPH, regardless of prostate size (while some surgical methods may require a certain minimum prostate size, PAE is more flexible in this regard).
• Patients who experience acute urinary retention (inability to urinate) episodes.
• Patients for whom vascular access for the procedure is feasible.

Remember, every patient's situation is unique, and a personalised assessment is essential to determine the most appropriate treatment method. In this regard, consulting an experienced interventional radiology specialist to get detailed information and find out if your condition is suitable for PAE is the most accurate approach.

PAE and Interventional Radiology Applications at Our Antalya Clinic

At our clinic in Antalya, with our state-of-the-art imaging equipment and experienced team, we successfully perform many modern interventional radiology procedures, primarily PAE, in the treatment of benign prostate enlargement. Our patients' comfort and health are our priority. We are here to guide you through every stage, answer your questions, and create a personalised treatment plan for you.

At our clinic, we ensure our patients are supported with the most current and scientific methods throughout their treatment processes. When performed by the right hands, PAE is a safe and effective option that significantly improves BPH symptoms, enhances quality of life, and allows patients to quickly return to their daily routines.

You Might Also Be Interested In: Other Non-Surgical Solutions Offered by Interventional Radiology

Interventional radiology offers a wide range of non-surgical treatment options. Minimally invasive methods like Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE) hold promise not only in the treatment of prostate enlargement but also for many other diseases. At our clinic, we continue to offer our patients the most suitable and least invasive solutions by closely following modern technology and scientific advancements.

If you also have a fear of surgery, are looking for alternatives to traditional treatment methods, or want a solution with faster recovery times, you are in the right place to discover the possibilities offered by Interventional Radiology. By contacting us, you can discuss which non-surgical treatment methods might be suitable for your ailments, as well as other topics such as fusion biopsy or fibroid treatment, and learn about new approaches like thyroid ablation. For our robotic technologies in interventional radiology, please visit our page. A detailed assessment by our expert team is the first step in finding the best personalised treatment path for you.