QUESTIONS TO GET THE CONVERSATION STARTED
If you decide to make an appointment with your interventional radiologist to discuss whether you might be a candidate for PAE, consider discussing the questions provided below. The questions will help you to better understand your condition and the treatment options available to you.
Questions about BPH:
- What is the prostate gland?
- What causes BPH?
- Is BPH common?
- Will symptoms improve or get worse over time?
- What’s the difference between BPH and prostate cancer? Does having BPH put me more at risk for prostate cancer?
- Can lifestyle factors such as food, exercise, and stress play a role in BPH?
Questions about BPH treatments:
- How do you typically treat BPH? What are the risks and benefits of each of these treatments?
- What are surgical and less invasive options for treating BPH? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each of these treatments?
- If I don’t want surgery, what alternatives are available?
- What are the advantages and disadvantages to watching and waiting?
- What medications are available to treat BPH and am I a candidate for medical therapy? Why or why not? What are the benefits and risks of medical therapy? Side effects?
- Have all the necessary diagnostic tests been performed? Why or why not? – Digital rectal exam (DRE)?
– Urine test (urinalysis)?
– Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test?
– Post-void residual (PVR) test?
– Uroflowmetry to measure how fast urine flows?
– Cystoscopy to look inside the urethra or bladder?
– Urodynamic pressure to test the pressure in the bladder when urinating?
– Ultrasound of the prostate?
Questions about more invasive surgical options:
- Do I need to have surgery? Will only part of my prostate be removed? If so, why?
- Is there a particular surgery that would be better for my situation?
- What are the risks associated with surgery?
- What are the risks associated with postponing surgery?
- Will I experience erectile dysfunction (ED) after surgery? Can the symptoms of ED be treated?
- What are the risks and benefits of treatment(s) for ED?
- What are the limitations of surgery?
- Will surgery cure BPH?
Questions about PAE:
- Do you refer patients for PAE? If not, why?
- How many patients have you referred for PAE and how many have chosen PAE to treat BPH?
- Will you refer me to an Interventional Radiologist for a consultation?
Questions for your Interventional Radiologist (IR) about PAE:
- How would you coordinate my care with my urologist?
- How often is the procedure successful in treating BPH?
- Are your patients happy with the procedure?
- How often do complications occur? What are typical complications?
- How will I feel during and after the PAE procedure?
- What is the length of the procedure? What is the normal recovery time?
- How long should I expect to stay in the hospital?
- How long should I expect to be away from work?
- How long before I can resume having sex?
- Will I still be able to get an erection after PAE? Will ejaculation be any different?
- Will my insurance cover PAE?
- What kind of follow-up care is typical and who manages it?
- What typically happens to the prostate after the blood supply is redcued?
- Will my urinary symptoms ever return?
- Am I a candidate for PAE?
