Commonly defined as “prostate problems”the Benign prostatic hyperplasia (HBP) is the most prevalent disease among men. It’s about a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland It affects 50% of men over 50 years of age and 90% of those between the ages of 70 and 80, as highlighted by Dr. Mauricio Lopez, of the Urology Service of the Virgen de la Salud University Hospital of Toledo.
“As the gland grows, it can slow or stop the flow of urine from the bladder, leading to lower urinary tract symptoms.”explains the Dr Carlos Lanciegohead of the Interventional Radiology Unit of the same hospital, who has been selected to form part of the international group of experts on prostatic artery embolizationto disseminate and help consolidate this interventional technique.
Specifically, the symptoms These can be: interruptions in the flow of urine, difficulty starting urination, dribbling after urination, urgent need to urinate, weak urine flow, feeling that the bladder is still full after urination and frequent urination, especially at night . As warned by the Dr. Mauricio Lopezaround three million Spaniards suffer from BPH, but only about 900,000 have been diagnosed and receive treatment.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia affects 50% of men over 50 years of age and 90% of those between 70 and 80 years of age.
Precisely to raise awareness among the population, especially men over 50, about the importance of diagnosis and treatment supervised by doctors, , a Spanish company that markets and manufactures a wide range of medical products, has launched the campaign #SOSprostate. This specialist indicates that some BPH risk factors They are age or aging, a family history of prostate problems, obesity, and chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
In this sense, the objective of this initiative is that Men pay attention to the symptoms and consult a specialist if they are detected, talking about this disease without taboos and from professional rigor. In fact, Drs. Lanciego, Domínguez and López have collaborated with their knowledge and experience in the content of the informative materials that will be disseminated on social networks with the hashtag #SOSprostate.
Prostatic artery embolization, an innovative minimally invasive treatment
The usual treatment when symptoms are moderate is oral medication. In cases where inflammation persists, the surgical approach by transurethral resection (TUR), effective in up to 70% of patients. However, it presents complications in up to 20% of cases, such as bleeding, incontinence and affectation of sexual function.
Today, Interventional Radiology specialists can provide an innovative, minimally invasive treatment to those who need an alternative: prostatic artery embolization (EAP). As indicated by the Dr. Ignacio Dominguez, member of the Interventional Vascular Radiology Unit of the Virgen de la Salud University Hospital, “consists of accessing the patient’s vasculature through a catheter inserted in the femoral, radial artery, etc., until reaching the arteries that supply the gland affected by inflammation and selecting those that are going to be covered (embolized) by means of devices called microspheres”.
Thus, the interventional radiologist treats the inflamed area by blocking the flow of blood to the prostate, which reduces its size, recovers the flow of urine and makes the clinical symptoms disappear in the days after treatment.
For his part, he Dr Lanciego highlights that “In our experience of more than 60 cases treated over the last 10 years, we have obtained very good results and with a high degree of satisfaction, which makes us feel very proud of this frank collaboration with the Urology Service, directed by the head of the service , he Dr. Antonio Gomez”. This expert ensures that the advantages of PAD compared to traditional surgery they are the lowest risk, fastest recovery time, least pain, maintains sexual function and absence of urinary incontinence.
The Prostatic artery embolization is a safe and effective treatment option for properly selected patients, so experts reiterate the importance of always consult a specialistwho will determine the best therapeutic option in each case.