To illustrate angiography findings in patients with prostate cancer during prostatic artery embolization (PAE).

The 2014.10-2019.12 angiograms of patients witha biopsy-proven diagnosis of prostate cancer during PAE were retrospectively analyzed. The number and origin of prostate artery (PA) and abnormal angiographic manifestations were observed. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) and complications at 3 and 12 months after PAE were collected to evaluate the efficacy of PAE in patients with abnormal angiographic manifestations.

One hundred and twenty-one pelvic sides were detected (One pelvic side was not evaluated because of the internal iliac artery occlusion) and 147 PAs were identified. The origins of the PAs included the internal pudendal artery (n = 46, 31.3%), the vesical artery (n = 40, 27.3%), the obturator artery (n = 31, 21.1%), the gluteal-pudendal trunk (n = 23, 15.7%), the inferior gluteal artery (n = 3, 2.0%), the accessory pudendal artery (n = 3, 2.0%), and the superior gluteal artery (n = 1, 0.6%). Arteriovenous fistula was present in6 patients and significant improvements were observed in the 3rd and 12th month IPSS and QoL (P < 0.05 for both). No major complications were observed.

The origin of PAs was complex and highly variable. Although arteriovenous fistula was present in some patients with prostate cancer, PAE was still safe and effective as long as suitable embolic particles were used.