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PAE vs. UroLift: Which Option is Best for You?
Choosing the right treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), also known as an enlarged prostate gland, can be daunting. Prostate Artery Embolization (PAE) and UroLift are minimally invasive treatments used to treat BPH and relieve inconvenient and uncomfortable symptoms. However, a UroLift procedure has its limitations.
A UroLift is a procedure that is only suitable for men with smaller prostate glands. It is not effective for men who have larger prostates or a larger median lobe, which is a part of the prostate that can grow into the bladder. Larger median lobes affect at least 10% to 40% of men. However, PAE has no size limitations for prostate glands. It is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment that can shrink enlarged prostates of any size to treat BPH.
Prostate Artery Embolization
Prostate Artery Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure to address issues caused by BPH. It effectively shrinks the prostate gland and is a safe and effective treatment for men with moderate to severe BPH symptoms. Benefits of PAE include:
- No hospital stay required
- Same day procedure
- Less invasive than surgery
- Full recovery in 1-2 weeks
- No limits on prostate size
- Lower risk of complications
UroLift
UroLift differs from PAE in several ways. It is only suitable for smaller prostate glands that are less than 70 ml in size. After a UroLift procedure, patients may even have symptoms reoccur, causing them to need repeat treatment or another procedure. The cost for UroLift is also approximately 2-3 times higher than PAE. Other differences include:
- Limitations on prostate size
- Chance of recurrent symptoms
- Prostate may continue to grow after procedure
- Higher risk of urinary incontinence
- May cause pain in the lower abdomen
- Burning and painful urination after treatment
Schedule an appointment at your nearest American Endovascular affiliated center.
PAE vs. UroLift Procedure
UroLift is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a transurethral device to place tiny implants on each side of the prostate. It holds the prostate tissue out of the way and opens up the urethra to help urine flow more freely. Generally, two to four implants are sutured on each side of the prostate. The procedure takes less than an hour to complete. Although an effective treatment for BPH, UroLift may cause more side effects, such as burning with urination, blood in urine, and pelvic pain and discomfort. It is also a temporary solution, as the prostate may continue to grow after the procedure.
PAE is a minimally invasive-image guided procedure that inserts a small catheter into your artery through your groin. Advanced X-ray imaging technology helps guide the catheter to the arteries feeding the enlarged prostate. Small particles are injected into the arteries through the catheter to reduce blood supply to the prostate, causing it to shrink. PAE takes 1-2.5 hours to perform and the patient can go home approximately 2 hours after the procedure. It also has minimal side effects and long-lasting results.
PAE vs. UroLift Recovery
Patients can enjoy a speedy recovery with both PAE and the UroLift procedure. Most men are able to return to work within 2-3 days and have a full recovery after 1-2 weeks. However, there is an increased risk of side effects after a UroLift, compared to PAE where there is a reported lower risk of complications. These side effects are generally resolved in 1-3 weeks after the UroLift procedure.
Which Enlarged Prostate Treatment is Right For You?
At American Prostate Centers, we believe that patients should be informed of all available treatments for BPH. If you’re deciding between PAE and UroLift, there are a few important factors to consider. While UroLift may have some similar benefits to PAE, a UroLift procedure can only treat smaller prostate glands (<70 mL) and has no proven benefit for men with larger, more vascular prostates. Additionally, after a UroLift there is a chance your prostate will continue to grow and cause the same symptoms again in the future.
At American Prostate Centers, we recommend Prostate Artery Embolization for men considering treatment for BPH. PAE offers several benefits over a UroLift. It is a safe and minimally invasive treatment option for BPH that effectively reduces painful and uncomfortable symptoms. It has a lower risk of urinary incontinence, no sexual side effects, and less pain and discomfort during and after the procedure.
PAE vs. UroLift Frequently Asked Questions
Prostate artery embolization (PAE) and UroLift are two different minimally invasive procedures for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PAE involves blocking blood flow to the prostate, and shrinking it, while UroLift uses tiny implants to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue, opening the urethra. PAE is more focused on reducing blood supply, while UroLift tackles BPH by repositioning prostate tissue.
UroLift and PAE are minimally invasive procedures, but their costs differ significantly. UroLift is generally more expensive than PAE. The cost of a UroLift ranges from $6,429 to $10,499 for 1 to 3 implants, which is 2 to 3 times higher than the cost of PAE. However, insurance coverage varies depending on the policy and provider, and it’s essential to understand any potential out-of-pocket costs before undergoing any procedure. It’s best to contact your insurance provider to get an accurate estimate.
PAE is less invasive than traditional surgical treatments for BPH, such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or open prostatectomy. It is performed by an interventional radiologist using catheters inserted through a small incision in the groin or wrist, under local anesthesia.
UroLift is also minimally invasive and is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under local or general anesthesia. It involves the insertion of a cystoscope through the urethra to place the UroLift implants in the prostate.
Why Choose American Prostate Centers for PAE?
At American Prostate Centers, you are in the right place, with a state-of-the-art center, high-quality interventional radiologists, and a clinically trained staff to attend to your needs in a safe and comfortable environment. With nationally recognized specialists, our highly trained and skilled physicians work as a team to provide expert care, including Prostate Artery Embolization. We do everything in our power to help you get back to your normal life without urination issues holding you back.
Our Prostate Specialists
Dr. David Mobley is our affiliated prostate specialist at our Queens location. He has been performing image-guided, minimally invasive prostate procedures for over 10 years. Dr. Mobley is an interventional radiologist, who has specialized training in performing PAE. He is an expert in both the diagnosis and treatment of BPH, to alleviate symptoms and let you live life without annoying urinary symptoms.
What Our Patients Are Saying
Schedule an appointment at your nearest American Prostate affiliated center.