Photo: Anna Shvets

Is prostate enlargement curable without surgery?

hopkinsmedicine.org - Nonsurgical Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Does avocado have beta-sitosterol?

A typical California avocado weighing 173 grams would contain 132mg beta-sitosterol. This level is significant as a phytochemical, and is in the...

Last updated May 14, 2019

What is the danger range for PSA?

Although PSA levels between 4.0 and 10.0 are considered “suspicious,” there is only a 25% chance that you have prostate cancer. If your PSA levels...

Last updated Apr 30, 2021

Promotion

If you’re a man over 50, you have a one in three chance of having benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the most common benign tumor found in men. BPH causes symptoms such as lack of bladder control, increased urinary frequency, and urgency and pain. For those with minor symptoms, medication or diet changes can help, but as symptoms increase, surgery is often the next step. But for men who are not candidates for surgery, or have a strong desire to avoid surgery, prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is a new treatment option. Interventional radiologist Brian Holly, M.D. , explains what you should know about the prostatic artery embolization procedure and if it may be right for you.

What is PAE?

PAE is a nonsurgical procedure that decreases the blood supply to the prostate, thus reducing its size and symptoms. An interventional radiologist, who uses X-rays and other imaging techniques to see inside the body and treat conditions without surgery, performs PAE. At Johns Hopkins, our interventional radiologists are expertly trained and experienced in performing this technically challenging procedure.

Who is eligible for PAE?

The PAE procedure is best for candidates who are either ineligible due to pre-existing health conditions or not interested in traditional surgery. An exam with an interventional radiologist can determine if you are a candidate for PAE. At this appointment, you may be asked how often you have urinary symptoms of BPH, how severe they are, and how much they affect your quality of life. Men who have advanced heart diseases associated with smoking or diabetes may not be candidates for PAE.

What are the benefits to PAE?

PAE is less invasive then other procedures so patients can return to their normal lives sooner. The PAE procedure can also have a lower risk of urinary incontinence and sexual side effects (retrograde ejaculation or erectile dysfunction), when compared with more invasive surgical procedures such as a TransUrethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP).

How effective is PAE?

PAE is a new and promising procedure. In a study published in 2016, 630 patients underwent a prostate artery embolization procedure. The study found that the procedure had a positive effect on urinary symptoms as well as overall quality of life. This positive effect lasted 1-3 years in 82% of the patients and lasted 3-7 years in 76% of the patients. Additionally, there was no urinary incontinence or sexual dysfunction reported. With the high success rate of PAE, men ineligible for surgery are able improve their quality of life by eliminating or reducing uncomfortable BPH symptoms. Be sure to speak to your urologist to help determine the best approach for you.

Which canned tuna is healthiest?

Canned light tuna is the better, lower-mercury choice, according to the FDA and EPA. Canned white and yellowfin tuna are higher in mercury, but...

Last updated Jun 29, 2022

How Fast Can prostate spread?

In many cases, prostate cancer is relatively slow-growing, which means that it can take years to become large enough to be detectable, and even...

Last updated Jul 6, 2019

Promotion

What are the symptoms of a swollen prostate?

Symptoms of an enlarged prostate include: finding it difficult to start peeing. straining to pee. having a weak flow of urine. ""stop-start"" peeing. needing to pee urgently and/or frequently. needing to get up frequently in the night to pee. accidentally leaking urine (urinary incontinence)

nhs.uk - Symptoms of benign prostate enlargement - NHS

Symptoms of an enlarged prostate include:

finding it difficult to start peeing

straining to pee

having a weak flow of urine

"stop-start" peeing

needing to pee urgently and/or frequently

needing to get up frequently in the night to pee

accidentally leaking urine (urinary incontinence)

Leaking urine can happen when you feel a sudden need to pee and cannot stop some pee leaking out before you get to a toilet. This is called urge incontinence. Leaking urine can also happen when you strain. For example, when you cough, sneeze or lift a heavy object. This is called stress incontinence. The most common form of leaking is when a small amount of urine dribbles into your underwear after peeing.

Find out more about urinary incontinence.

What drinks bring BP down?

Some drinks can help lower your blood pressure, including: Skimmed milk. Low-fat dairy products like yogurt and skimmed milk can help lower high...

Last updated Nov 15, 2020

Where do most bone cancers start?

Overview. Bone cancer can begin in any bone in the body, but it most commonly affects the pelvis or the long bones in the arms and legs. Bone...

Last updated Aug 6, 2018

Imagine Your Moment Of Freedom!

Fluxactive Complete is conveniently packed with over 14 essential prostate powerhouse herbs, vitamins and grade A nutrients which work synergistically to help you support a healthy prostate faster

Learn More »

Promotion

How often should a guy get hard?

There's no hard and fast rule when it comes to how many erections a person should get. People with penises have an average of 11 erections per day...

Last updated Nov 3, 2019

Promotion

What does dark chocolate do to your blood?

Eating dark chocolate is a great way to incorporate more cacao into your diet, which can help to lower your high blood pressure! The flavonoids in...

Last updated Jun 19, 2021