Maintaining prostate health is essential for men, particularly as they get older. Benign Enlargement of the Prostate (BPH) and prostate cysts are among the common conditions that can impact urinary and reproductive health. The good news is that considerable advances have occurred in the realm of minimally invasive techniques, making these conditions treatable without traditional surgery.
The prostate embolization for BPH protocol is one of the most exciting advances in the treatment of BPH, and this is a minimally invasive, long-lasting solution for the symptoms of enlarged prostate.
In this article, we will understand how prostate embolization works and how it relates to a non-surgical method to treat prostate cysts, and the reason why it has become an autonomous option that patients and urologists are embracing.
What is BPH, and How Does It Affect You
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland and afflicts almost half of men over the age of 50. Because the prostate grows, it presses on the urethra, resulting in a number of types of urinary signs or symptoms, including:
Frequent urination, especially at night
Difficulty starting urination
Weak or interrupted urine flow
Sensation of incomplete bladder emptying
These can interfere with sleep, work, and quality of life in general, in both children and adults. Historically, medications and surgery are the mainstays of therapy for BPH; however, now many patients seek prostate embolization for BPH as a safe, effective, and minimally invasive alternative therapy.
What Is Prostate Embolization for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia?
Prostate embolization for BPH, or more accurately, Prostate Artery embolization (PAE), is a minimally invasive treatment that an interventional radiologist performs. In the process, the patient will have had a treatment option that involves reduced blood supply to the enlarged prostate tissue, which shrinks in size with time, reducing the pressure it gives on the urethra.
How the Procedure Works:
Imaging and Planning
The arteries that supply the prostate are mapped using advanced imaging (MRI or CT angiography)
Catheter Insertion
A small catheter is placed in an artery using local anaesthesia in either the groin or wrist. The radiologist then threads the catheter to the arteries supplying the prostate.
embolization
Then, tiny particles are injected using the catheter to cut off the blood supply to the prostate. This deprives the tissue and leads to the gland, as it only shrinks over time.
Recovery
The majority of patients can go home the same day and be fully back to their normal activities in 1-2 days. It requires no surgical cuts and hence no stitches.
What are the reasons for prostatic embolization instead of surgery?
Although procedures for more difficult problems such as TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate) work well, they carry risks that may include bleeding, urinary incontinence, and sexual adverse effects. Conversely, the unique advantages of prostate embolization include:
No large incisions – so minimally invasive
Maintains sexual function in the majority of patients
Short recovery time
Outpatient procedure
Appropriate for mature patients or those with a high surgical risk
In clinical studies, the success rates are quite high, and the vast majority of men see an improvement in their symptoms within a couple of weeks after the procedure.
Understanding Prostate Cysts
Prostate cysts are benign troubles that take place within the prostate gland; they’re fluid-filled sacs that form in it. The vast majority are benign and asymptomatic, but some can cause BPH-like symptoms:
Painful urination
Discomfort in the pelvic area
Urinary retention
Pain during ejaculation
Small cysts might not need any treatment, but an intervention is needed in cases of larger or symptomatic cysts. Intact non-surgical best prostate cyst treatment enters the picture here.
Non-Surgical Prostate Cyst Treatment Options
Most prostate cysts can be approached and managed non-surgically, particularly in the absence of complications. Treatment options may include:
Monitoring
If the cyst is small and asymptomatic, your doctor may watch it with regular imaging and examinations.
Antibiotics or Medication
If the cyst has a secondary infection, for example, inflammation, antibiotics are prescribed. Medications to reduce inflammation of the prostate can be used in some instances, too, to help control symptoms.
Image-Guided Aspiration
But in bigger or painful cysts, an interventional radiologist may be able to remove the liquid with a fine needle under ultrasound or CT guidance. This is a relatively fast, low-symptom, outpatient procedure.
Artery embolization Techniques
For symptomatic or vascular cysts, embolization techniques similar to those used for the treatment of BPH may be utilised in select cases. Less common, but with improving imaging technology and precision tools, this approach is beginning to gain popularity.
Bottom Line
Suppose your prostate is enlarged or has a cyst that is causing urinary symptoms. In that case, you need not be relegated to invasive surgery and a prolonged recovery—a safe, effective, minimally invasive prostate embolization for your BPH & advanced prostate cyst treatment alternatives.
These advanced therapies are performed by expert interventional radiologist Dr. Gaurav Gangwani. He uses different imaging techniques and minimally invasive procedures to restore comfort and confidence back into the lives of men without the risks.
Contact Dr. Gaurav Gangwani today to discover whether you are a candidate for prostate embolization or non-surgical cyst treatment, and take charge of your prostate health with the specialised care you can trust.
