Prostate therapy without surgery

Prostate artery embolisation (PAE) – a breakthrough that uses tiny plastic beads to restrict the blood supply and shrink an enlarged prostate gland – offers men a new treatment option alongside surgery

Normal prostate
Blood supply
Bladder
Urine 
Prostate
Urethra

Enlarged prostate
Prostate presses on bladder and blocks urethra

Prostate gland: Makes seminal fluid, which is mixed with sperm to produce semen

Prostate growth: Known as BPH – Benign prostatic hyperplasia – enlargement affects about 50% of men over age of 50

Often causes urinary frequency, difficulty starting to urinate and inability to empty bladder fully

1. Interventional Radiologist threads catheter into femoral artery, using X-rays for accurate positioning
2, 3. Catheter guided to both right and left arteries which supply prostate
4. Fluid containing hundreds of microspheres is injected to block small blood vessels. Restricted blood supply shrinks prostate

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Bladder 
Prostate
Catheter
Bladder
Prostate




Sources: Dr. Nigel Hacking, TotalHealth.co.uk   Picture: Getty Images
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