New Study Shows Benefits of Prostate Artery Embolization for Men with an Enlarged Prostate

Estimates have suggested a 50 percent prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia among men in their 50s and a 70 percent prevalence for men in their 60s.¹ However, emerging research suggests that prostate artery embolization (PAE) can facilitate short-term improvement as well as sustained long-term outcomes for men with an enlarged prostate.

In a new study, presented recently at the upcoming Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Annual Scientific Meeting, researchers examined clinical and quality of life outcomes with up to six years of follow-up data in 1,000 patients (mean age of 70.2) who underwent prostate artery embolization for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) or urinary retention.

One year after patients had the PAE procedure, the study authors reported a 32 percent reduction in prostate gland size. They also noted sustained prostate reduction with a 70.9 g mean prostate size one year after PAE treatment and a 69.3 g mean prostate size at the five-year follow-up.

Researchers also found a 42 percent decrease in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values one year after treatment with PAE. Employing the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) to assess symptoms ranging from incomplete bladder emptying to urination urgency, researchers noted the median pre-treatment IPSS score was 23, which was in the “severe” symptom range of 20 to 35. The median IPSS score one year after IPSS treatment dropped to 6, which was in the “mild” symptom range of 1 to 7. Five years after IPSS treatment, the study authors noted sustained reduction of symptoms with a median IPSS of 3.

Utilizing the Sexual Health Inventory for Men Questionnaire to ascertain erectile dysfunction (ED) symptoms, the researchers noted no adverse sexual side effects with the questionnaire score slightly improving from a baseline score of 17 to 19 one year after PAE treatment.

“This study shows (prostate artery embolization) to be a safe and highly effective treatment whose long-term outcomes include sustained LUTS relief, significant improvement in quality of life and no change in erectile function,” noted Shivank Bhatia, M.D., the chair of Interventional Radiology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

In regard to post-operative symptoms, the researchers noted self-limited frequency, urgency, and dysuria in 33.5 percent of the study cohort. They also acknowledged that 67 patients needed a second procedure to address recurrent LUTS and 10 of those patients had a second PAE procedure.

Dr. Bhatia will present the study findings March 8 at the Society of Interventional Radiology (SIR) Annual Scientific Meeting, which takes place March 4-9, 2023 in Phoenix.

Reference

1. Yale Medicine. Enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). Available at https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/enlarged-prostate-benign-prostatic-hyperplasia-bph#:~:text=About%2050%25%20of%20men%20between,over%2070%20years%20of%20age. Accessed March 1, 2023.