Prostate enlargement can result in a weak urine stream, nighttime urination, and incomplete bladder emptying.
When to seek emergency care
If any of the following signs occur, call *3003 immediately — do not wait for a routine appointment:
- Inability to urinate
- Fever and burning during urination
- A large amount of blood in the urine
- Back pain and impaired kidney function
What is it?
Treatment is selected according to symptom severity, prostate size, residual urine volume, kidney function, and the patient's priorities. In selected cases, prostatic artery embolization may be discussed as a minimally invasive alternative.
Symptoms
- Weak urine stream
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Urgent need to urinate
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Dribbling
- Recurrent urinary tract infection
Causes & risk factors
- Age
- Family predisposition
- Hormonal changes
- Metabolic syndrome
- Excess weight
- Physical inactivity
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is not based on a single test alone. Symptoms, risk factors, physical examination findings, and instrumental test results are assessed together.
- Urological examination
- PSA and blood tests
- Urinalysis
- Ultrasound and measurement of post-void residual urine
- Uroflowmetry
- Prostate MRI in selected cases
Treatment approaches
Treatment is individualized according to disease severity, the patient's overall condition, comorbidities, and procedural risk.
- Observation
- Medication
- Endoscopic urological procedures
- Prostatic artery embolization in selected cases
- Emergency catheterization for urinary retention
How we help
At the center, assessment of prostate enlargement begins with a urological evaluation. Suitability for embolization is determined by prostate size, symptoms, vascular anatomy, and exclusion of the possibility of cancer.
When a procedure may be needed
Prostatic artery embolization may be considered when medication does not provide sufficient relief, surgical risk is high, and the anatomy is suitable.
Patient checklist
- Rate your urinary symptoms from 0 to 5
- Bring your PSA result
- Seek emergency care if urinary retention occurs
- Report any blood-thinning medications
FAQ
Is prostate enlargement cancer?
No. Benign enlargement is not cancer. However, the possibility of cancer should be assessed separately with PSA testing and examination.
Is embolization suitable for everyone?
No. The prostate size, vascular anatomy, and symptom profile must be suitable.
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