The prostate plays an important role as it makes up 25% of the volume of semen that helps sperm in both mobility and survival (Tortora and Derrickson 2012). It continually grows to expand until about age 30 when expansion stops, but then at age 45 it continues to grow once again (Tortora and Derrickson 2012). However, a current U.S. trial of a new nonsurgical procedure called prostatic artery embolization is helping in reducing the prostate enlargement (ScienceDaily). Shrinking of the prostate will counteract many of the symptoms of enlarged prostates without the potential risks that surgery can have (ScienceDaily).
Prostatic artery embolization was performed in Europe and South America with a correlation between the treatment and prostate size (ScienceDaily). This treatment is being carried out in Inova Alexandria Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia headed by Sandeep Bagla, M.D. (ScienceDaily). Prostatic artery embolization works by blocking the flow of blood to the prostate artery and therefore causing a decrease in the size of the prostate (ScienceDaily). Prostate enlargement occurs more frequently in older men and prostate size increases with older age, and because most men don’t choose surgical procedures many of them are prone to bladder stones, poor kidney functions, and infections (ScienceDaily).
As modern medicine continues to allow for humans to live a longer period of time higher incidents of prostate enlargement increases therefore diminishing the lifestyle of many elderly men. This treatment is a great option for those that don’t want to risk impotence, leaking urine, or infection that can come from surgery (ScienceDaily). Patients treated with PAE have had great results with 92% seeing an improvement of their symptoms (ScienceDaily). This is a treatment with the potential to alleviate or rid of the symptoms of enlarged prostates with a quick and easy treatment that has had great success in the clinical studies.
Tortora G.J. and B. Derrickson. 2012. Principles of Anatomy and Physiology. 13th ed., John Wiley and Sons
Society of Interventional Radiology. “Nonsurgical treatment turns back the clock, shrinks enlarged prostate.”ScienceDaily, 15. Apr. 2013. Web. 17 Apr. 2013.