Patient Experience: Interventional Radiology

Hearing an interview on the radio by chance opened my eyes to new treatment options

After struggling with emptying his bladder, Mark, then aged 59, was diagnosed with a swollen prostate and treated with medication for 5 years. However, his symptoms continued and the issue escalated to the point where his bladder was no longer functioning properly. He was told that his only treatment option was surgery—an outcome Mark desperately wanted to avoid.

It was by chance that Mark heard an interventional radiologist being interviewed on national radio one day. The interventional radiologist was talking about a research project involving prostate artery embolisation (PAE).

PAE is performed as a non-surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which causes obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms. Interested in the possibility that this procedure might be an option to treat his issues, Mark undertook his own research and applied to participate in the research project.

Mark underwent the PAE procedure which he said was very straightforward, taking between 2−3 hours. The procedure was completed as day surgery and Mark was not required to stay overnight in hospital.

Within three days of having the procedure I started noticing improvements in my bladder function, and three months afterwards my prostate-specific antigen (PSA) had reduced by more than 4 times. I am so happy with such a great result

I take my hat off to the expertise of my interventional radiologist and their team. It is thanks to this procedure that I have been able to continue on with my life in the way that I wanted—with no negative impacts on sexual function or ability to control my bladder

Prostatic artery embolization (PAE) is a minimally invasive treatment that helps improve lower urinary tract symptoms caused by a Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

BPH is a noncancerous enlargement of the prostate gland and is the most common benign tumor found in men.