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NICE recommends new non-surgical treatment for enlarged prostate

In its latest draft guidance, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends a new type of non-surgical therapy for men with enlarged prostate. The new intervention called Prostate Artery Embolisation (PAE) is beneficial for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

BPH is a type of non-malignant prostate enlargement which affects nearly 1 in 3 men older than the age of 50 years. There are several medical and surgical interventions available for treatment of BPH; however, they carry the risk for side effects and are not suitable for all patients.

PAE inhibits the blood supply to the prostate with the aid of small particles, thereby causing the prostate tissue to shrink and die. The procedure can be performed under local anaesthesia as a day procedure without the need for hospital admission.

In its earlier evaluation by NICE in 2013, PAE failed to provide sufficient evidence to support its safety and efficacy. Since then the UK ROPE study conducted by the British Society of Interventional Radiology and the British Association of Urological Surgeons has demonstrated PAE to be safe and provide significant improvements in symptoms and QoL for men.

Dr Nigel Hacking, consultant interventional radiologist at University Hospital Southampton, commented: "It is a particularly good option for men who are not yet ready to undergo more invasive prostate surgery. Maintaining sexual function and fertility is one of its main strengths.”


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