Prostate Treatment in Bangalore​

Is an enlarged prostate making you anxious about the big surgical procedure that follows it? Don't worry more, owing to the new and innovative surgical procedure - the Prostate artery embolisation - has revolutionised the way to deal with this condition. This article will take you through every detail of this procedure and the best healthcare centre, especially in Bangalore.

Benign Prostatic hyperplasia, for many men, impacts the quality of their life, which is the reason for non-cancerous swelling of the prostate, specifically in older men. The swelling results in the enlarging of the prostate, eventually pressing against the urethra and bladder. This continuous pressure results in disruptive urinary symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, painful urination, and, in some cases, urinary retention. Formerly, this condition was treated by extensive invasive surgery. A minimally invasive procedure called prostate artery embolisation (PAE), however, has picked up momentum in recent years. As a relatively new and advanced procedure, the process requires meticulousness and the best care, both of which are the capabilities of Gleneagles Hospital, one of the top hospitals renowned for delivering the best prostate treatment in Bangalore​.

Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE) is a minimally invasive procedure that aims to shrink an enlarged prostate caused by BPH, depriving it of blood supply. During the procedure, an interventional radiologist, a doctor who specialises in performing procedures with imaging technology, places a catheter into the blood vessels that supply the prostate. The catheter is used to insert tiny particles or microspheres into the arteries, which block the blood supply to the prostate. Consequently, the prostate shrinks down with time, eventually easing pressure on the urethra and relieving symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, and painful urination.

Although the symptoms of Benign Prostatic hyperplasia can be managed with traditional surgical procedures, it has shown some adverse effects, including urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and retrograde ejaculation. Conversely, PAE offers significant advantages over traditional surgery, which include:

• Minimally Invasive: PAE is done through a small cut and the use of a catheter, so no open surgery is required. This decreases the risks of anaesthesia and large cuts.
• Outpatient Procedure: This procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis, and therefore, patients usually do not have to spend the night in the hospital.
• Faster Recovery: Unlike more invasive surgeries like TURP, patients undergoing PAE generally experience a quicker recovery time and may resume normal activities within a few days.
• Lower Complication Risk: These risks for urinary incontinence, sexual dysfunction, and other complications are lower with PAE than with TURP and other surgery.
• Enhanced Quality of Life: PAE has also been found to decrease symptoms of BPH, including urinary frequency and pain on urination, resulting in an enhancement of the overall quality of the patient's life.

Preparation for Prostate enlargement surgery in Bangalore or anywhere else in the world entails a number of important steps to determine whether the patient is a good candidate for the surgery. Below are some pre-surgery tests and assessment procedures you might anticipate:

• Medical History Review: Your physician will inquire about your symptoms, past treatments for BPH, and your medical history. This will help determine whether PAE is the right treatment for you.
• Imaging Tests: To precisely determine the size and shape of your prostate, your physician can do an MRI or ultrasound. These tests assist in planning the procedure and making sure that the blood vessels that supply the prostate are marked properly.
• Blood Tests: A blood test is taken to check your kidney function, blood clotting ability, and overall health before surgery.
• Medication Review: Some medications, particularly blood thinners, will have to be stopped temporarily before the procedure to reduce the risk of bleeding. It is important to inform your doctor about any medications that you are currently taking.
• Fasting: The patients are typically asked to fast for six hours prior to the procedure. This is to avoid any possibility of complications and to make the procedure safe.

The PAE procedure is generally carried out by an interventional radiologist in an outpatient clinic or hospital setting. It is generally performed under local anaesthesia and mild sedation, so you feel comfortable during the procedure without general anaesthesia. Here are the steps followed during the procedure:

• Catheter Insertion: The test starts with a small catheter being inserted into the blood vessels, usually via an artery in your wrist or groin. The catheter is threaded into the blood vessels supplying the prostate by using fluoroscopic (X-ray) imaging.
• Arteriogram: An arteriogram is done after placing the catheter. The special dye is injected into the arteries to better outline the arteries supplying the prostate so that the physician can determine exactly where the sites of embolisation should be.
• Embolisation: Tiny particles, also known as microspheres, are directly injected into the arteries supplying blood to the prostate. The particles cut off the blood supply to the prostate, shrinking it and thus relieving BPH symptoms.
• Completion: After the completion of the procedure, the catheter is removed with high precision and accuracy, and the patient is kept under observation for a short time to rule out any immediate complications.

The whole duration of Prostate Enlargement Treatment in Bangalore or any other part of the world takes anywhere between one to two hours. Patients can expect to return home the same day of the surgery if no complications are monitored. It is usual to have mild fever, fatigue, pelvic cramping, frequent urination and even urgency, which settles by itself within a few days. Some patients also develop post-PAE syndrome, a post-operative condition which consists of symptoms such as pelvic pain, nausea, or pain on urination. These symptoms usually subside within a few days. It is recommended that patients don’t lift heavy objects or perform strenuous physical exercises for at least a week.

For aftercare, prostate artery embolisation patients are advised to attend follow-up visits typically scheduled one week after the surgery to help their healthcare provider analyse any complications, if any. Your doctor may also advise you to go for imaging tests three months after the surgery to avoid any potential complications.

Although the PAE is considered a safe procedure, it does carry some risks and complications with it. The most common risks and complications associated with prostate treatment in Bangalore​ may include:

• Post-PAE Syndrome: These may involve minor fever, pelvic pain, nausea, and urinary frequency. Such symptoms are transitory and take a few days to subside.
• Bleeding: There is a minimal risk of bleeding at the site of catheter insertion or within the prostate.
• Infection: Infection may happen at the site of catheter insertion or in the prostate itself, although it is rare.
• Urinary Complications: Men can have transient urinary obstruction, bladder cramps, or hematuria, but these symptoms typically resolve within a short time.
• Blockage of Other Blood Vessels: In a few instances, the microspheres that are injected into the arteries can block blood vessels elsewhere in the body, but this is usually reversible with further procedures.

The risks mentioned above might be avoided by choosing the best hospital for prostate cancer treatment in Bangalore, like Gleneagles Hospitals, and following the instructions given by your healthcare provider.

Why Choose Gleneagles Hospital for Prostate Artery Embolisation?
Prostate Artery Embolisation is one of the most specialised procedures in medicine, and it needs to be performed with sheer expertise by a highly skilled team of surgeons and radiologists. This is where Gleneagles Hospital steps up, the best hospital for prostate cancer treatment in Bangalore. Here are the reasons why this hospital has been a trusted choice for many in India and abroad for many years:

• Gleneagles is home to some of the most famous radiologists and surgeons.
• The hospital infrastructure is equipped with cutting-edge technology of the time to provide our patients with the best prostate enlargement treatment in Bangalore.
• We use a multidisciplinary approach, meaning radiologists and physiotherapists work together to give the best possible outcome.
• Advanced and fully sanitised rehabilitation centres to ensure the best aftercare following the surgery.