If you're considering PAE to treat Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH, also called prostate enlargement) you'll want to know the cost of Prostate Artery Embolization. Now, since it's a minimally invasive treatment option approved for relieving BPH-related LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms) it is already less expensive than surgical procedures. Even better, it carries a reduced risk for side effects, allowing you to avoid both costly hospital stays and expensive follow up care. But these savings don't even present the full picture. In fact, a recent Radiology study examined PAE cost-effectiveness through a lens of long-and-short-term considerations. And what they discovered? Well, the results are so so exciting that our Georgia Prostate Insitute specialists are thrilled to share them here!
Cost of Prostate Artery Embolization: What to Consider
For the study in question, researchers began by examining PAE's ability to effectively relieve BPH symptoms, then compared that efficacy to both surgical procedures and other treatment options such as medical management. Quickly, they learned that PAE is a highly effective minimally invasive BPH treatment, superior to most other minimally invasive options.
Next, it considered the short and long-term costs association with the procedure. This included factors such as the potential for complications; the likelihood of recurring symptoms requiring medical care; and the overall improvement in quality of life and life expectancy. Here's the conclusion they reached. Compared to five other BPH treatment options, PAE is both the "most effective treatment strategy" and "the most cost-effective treatment strategy."
Ready to find cost-effective, lasting relief from BPH? Click here to request an appointment with our specialists at the Georgia Prostate institue, and discover if PAE is right for you!
PAE, or Prostatic artery embolization, is a newly FDA-approved treatment for BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Offering relief from symptoms such as difficulty urinating, urgency and more--all without medication or surgery--it's become a popular treatment for men who wish to or must avoid surgery, but can't get sufficient relief from other treatments. But how long does prostate artery embolization last? We'll tell you in a minute. But first, let's take a closer look at what to expect from this procedure.
What is Prostatic Artery Embolization?
PAE is a minimally invasive procedure that blocks blood flow your prostate. Performed with a father we insert through a small puncture in your groin, our experts guide it to the artery supplying blood flow to your prostate. Then, we deposit embolic particles that plug the artery, allowing the prostate to shrink over time. Most men experience noticeable relief after a month, with full relief achieved after six months, at which point your prostate will shrink by as much as 40%.
When you elect to have this minimally invasive procedure, you can avoid general anesthesia. All you need during the procedure is IV medication that keeps you calm and comfortable. After, you can go home on the same day, avoiding a disruptive and costly overnight hospital stay.
How long does prostate artery embolization last?
While it can take up to six months for you to experience the full benefits PAE procedure, at that point, relief should be lasting. But how long, exactly, will the relief last?
Because PAE is a relatively new treatment option, we can't answer that question definitively. But current data proves that PAE relief lasts for at least 3-4 years. And, with further study, we suspect results will last even longer than that.
Ready to find relief from urinary frequency, night-time waking, and the other unwanted effects of an enlarged prostate? We’re here to help! Click here to request an appointment with the Georgie Prostate Institute, and find out for yourself how long does prostate artery embolization last?
If you're considering PAE to treat an enlarged prostate, you may wonder, "How successful is Prostate Artery Embolization?" And why should you choose this treatment option over others?
Well, at our Georgia Prostate Institute, we offer prostate artery embolization (PAE) to men who are suffering from the Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) associated with an enlarged prostate. It is a safe and effective pathway to relief, and we'll explain how and why it works in today's post!
What causes an enlarged prostate?
Your prostate gland sits at the neck of your bladder, surrounding the urethra. Its role in your reproductive system is to produce seminal fluid. Yet, as you age, your prostate tends to grow larger, a condition known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) or an enlarged prostate.
As the gland gets larger, it presses on your urethra and bladder, resulting in disruptive symptoms such as:
Inability to urinate or empty the bladder fully
Weak or slow flow of urine, along with dribbling at the end of urinary flow
Incontinence
Sudden need to urinate, without any warning
Two or more nightly urination needs that lead to waking
Pain or straining with urination
Delayed onset of urination
Urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney and bladder damage, and/or bladder stones.
What is PAE (prostate artery embolization)?
Recently approved by the FDA to treat BPH, prostate artery embolization is an outpatient procedure that relieves the symptoms of an enlarged prostate by blocking blood flow to the prostatic arteries. Accomplished by using an x-ray-guided catheter to deposit microspheres to those arteries, the resulting reduction in blood flow causes shrinking of the prostate, and soon relieves unwanted symptoms.
What is the success rate of prostate artery embolization?
Here's some good news: within one year of receiving PAE, over 90% of men experience BPH relief. Plus, unlike other BPH treatment options, prostate artery embolization does not carry the risk of sexual side effects. Even better? PAE relief appears to be long lasting. While the procedure is new enough that we don't have much long-term data, recent studies revealed that 82% of men experienced ongoing relief three years after their procedure.
Who is a PAE candidate?
While PAE isn't for everyone, you may be a candidate if you have not experienced BPH relief from medications or lifestyle changes; if you're not a candidate for surgery, or if your prostate is too large for common surgical procedures. Plus, PAE can be a great treatment for men who have unsuccessfully tried to treat BPH with previous surgeries.
Now, not every patient will be eligible for this procedure, but we can determine your best treatment plan after a thorough exam and medical history. Ready to discover for yourself, how successful is prostate artery embolization? Learn more by clicking here to request an appointment.
Our interventional radiologists at the Georgia Prostate Institute regularly perform arterial embolization. But what is arterial embolization? This procedure shuts off blood flow to certain parts of your body to promote therapeutic effects. To start, we inject embolic material, via catheter, to arteries or veins, preventing blood movement without harming your health.
While this treatment has been around since the 1970s, today, the treatment has been refined and perfected. Now, it's an FDA-approved therapeutic treatment for a variety of conditions, including the side effects of an enlarged prostate. Let's take a closer look at how this minimally-invasive treatment delivers relief!
What is arterial embolization?
As a minimally invasive procedure, you can undergo AE without general anesthesia. Plus, most patients avoid an overnight hospital, and enjoy a post-procedure recovery period that's far easier than recovering from any kind of surgery.
As we mentioned, interventional radiologists have spent years perfecting arterial embolization treatments. In the process, we've discovered many new treatment avenues, including AE for varicocele (varicose veins of the scrotum) and AE for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, a condition that's also referred to as an enlarged prostate.) When we use AE to treat the prostate enlargement, we reference Prostate Arterial Embolization, or PAE.
Prostate Arterial Embolization (PAE) Treatment in Georgia
Our experts are so excited about the FDA's recent decision to approve AE as a less invasive treatment option for BPH and LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms) because it allows us to help a wide range of patients avoid surgery or medications while finding effective relief. For that reason, we invite you to schedule a consultation with our interventional radiologists in Georgia. Together, we can determine if you are a candidate for this less invasive BPH treatment option.
Are you searching for ways to treat BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia)? Or do you need to understand this condition, identify symptoms and learn when to ask for help? We'll provide answers to those questions (and more!) in today's post.
What is BPH?
This common condition affects men by enlarging their prostates, in turn leading to a wide array of symptoms. Now, getting a diagnosis may be confusing, since many men's symptoms look very different from what's 'typical.' Yet the most common BPH effects are classified as Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) such as:
- The sudden need to urinate without prior warning or an ability to control that urge
- Incontinence
- Nocturia, or waking up to urinate at least twice in the middle of the night
- Difficulties starting the flow of urine
- Straining to urinate
- Painful urination
- Inability to fully empty the bladder
- Dribbling flow of urine at the end of a bathroom trip
- Frequent Urinary Tract Infections
- Blood in the urine or bladder stones
- Reduced bladder capacity (decompensation)
What Causes BPH
We don't know why some men develop BPH and others don't. However, we know that age, testosterone levels, and changes to the cells of the testicles increase the risk for prostate enlargement. And the problem is common, since most men over 40 have at least mild prostate enlargement, but almost all men over 80 develop BPH.
Should I Treat BPH?
You'll decide to treat an enlarged prostate when symptoms become intrusive to your daily life. Plus, symptom severity can determine the best treatment option. For some men, making lifestyle changes like, urinating as soon as you feel the urge; limiting alcohol and caffeine intake; exercising regularly; managing tension; and avoiding decongestants and antihistamines can help treat the symptoms of BPH
But some men will need medical interventions to find relief. In the past, the only options were taking prescription medications or scheduling surgery. But today we can treat BPH with Prostate Aretery Embolization (PAE), a minimally invasive, out-patient procedure.
Treat BPH with PAE
The American Urologic Association and FDA now approve PAE to treat BPH. This is a minimally invasive, same-day, outpatient procedure that relieves BPH symptoms with minimal risks for sexual side effects or incontinence. Performed with mild sedation or general anesthesia, our Georgia interventional radiologists start PAE by inserting a small catheter into your wrist. Next, guided by X-ray technology, we insert beads to block the prostate's blood flow, causing it to shrink within two weeks of the procedure. In turn, bothersome BPH symptoms should improve, and you may even enjoy improved sexual health.
Ready to treat BPH without surgery or added side effects? Contact the Georgia Prostate Institute today. We'll review your symptoms and determine if you're a candidate for PAE.
Benign protastic hyperplasia (also called BPH, or referred to as prostate enlargement)requires BPH treatment. But, when you're seeking relief, there are several different treatment options which you can choose from. So, today, we're explaining our Georgia Prostate Institute's specialists are explaining each of your options, and highlighting how interventional radiology can provide effective relief.
What is BPH?
With this condition, you experience enlargement of the prostate gland due to non-cancerous causes. (This walnut-shaped gland produces the fluid for semen, making it an important part of the male reproductive system). Still, because the prostate surrounds the urethra and bladder, any enlargement can lead to lower urinary tract symptoms, or LUTS.
BPH Symptoms
What are the two most common symptoms of BPH? Many men complain of losing the ability to urinate or of having difficulties completely emptying their bladders, with the end of urinary flow slowing to a dribble. Other LUTS symptoms include:
- Incontinence
- Blood in the urine
- Pain with urination
- Delayed onset of urination
- Urinary urgency, without prior warning
Seeking BPH treatment
When you're choosing between BPH treatment options, you should be guided by symptom severity. Some men can simply observe their symptoms for any changes, making sure your condition isn't getting worse. At the same time, you can incorporate lifestyle changes to reduce your symptom impact. Try urinating as soon as you feel the need. Schedule regular bathroom trips, even when you don't feel the need, and avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, especially at night.
On that note: drinking at night is something to think about as well. You should stop all all fluid consumption at least two hours before you plan to go to sleep. Instead, try sipping small volumes of fluid all day long, instead of guzzling beverages all in one go.
With BPH, regular exercise can also help improve your symptoms by managing stress and reducing tension. But you should also carefully discuss over-the-counter medication use with your doctor, since decongestants and antihistamines can worsen LUTS symptoms.
Medications for BPH
When symptoms become more intrusive, you may turn to BPH medications. Both finasteride and dutasteride lower hormone production in the prostate, in turn reducing its size. (However, these medications take at least three months to deliver noticeable symptom relief.)
Another option is to try Alpha-1 blockers; these blood-pressure medications relax the neck of the bladder, along with the prostate, making it easier to urinate. But, like all medications, these options for BPH treatment can interact with other prescriptions and cause unwanted side effects . As such, you may want to explore other pathways to relief.
Non-Surgical BPH Treatment
The FDA approves Prostate Artery Embolization, or PAE, for effective BPH treatment. We perform this outpatient procedure at our Georgia Prostate Institute to relieve LUTS and other effects of prostate enlargement. Now, not every patient can benefit from this treatment option, but you be a PAE candidate if you've failed to find BPH symptom relief with medications, prefer to avoid surgery, and aren't a good candidate for invasive procedures.
Ready to find LUTS relief? When medications and lifestyle interventions fail, we can provide non-surgical relief. Contact our Georgia specialists today to discuss treating BPH with PAE.
