Prostate Artery Embolization

By the time a man reaches age 50, his prostate has already begun to enlarge. An enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is one of the most common prostate problems in men over the age of 50, affecting approximately 50 percent of men. 

Since the prostate gland is located underneath the bladder, when the prostate is enlarged, it begins to block the urine flow. BPH may cause a frequent or urgent need to urinate, difficulty in starting urination, a weak urine stream or an inability to completely empty the bladder. 

But an innovative treatment called prostate artery embolization (PAE) at Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox is a minimally invasive procedure that doesn’t even require an overnight stay. It’s performed by an interventional radiologist in an outpatient setting and can reduce the size of the prostate, relieving uncomfortable symptoms. 

Best of all, prostate artery embolization has less risk of sexual side effects, less pain and a shorter recovery time than a traditional surgery.

How Prostate Artery Embolization Works

Through image guidance, an interventional radiologist makes a small incision in either the groin or wrist to insert a tiny catheter into an artery and points it to the blood vessels of the prostate. The IR then blocks the blood flow to specific areas of the prostate, depriving those cells of oxygen, resulting in the shrinkage of the prostate gland.