Baptist Health Paducah offers minimally invasive treatment option for enlarged prostate

PADUCAH, KY (June 17, 2025) – Gone are the days when men must suffer from the effects of an enlarged prostate thanks to Aquablation therapy, a minimally invasive treatment that treats benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), offering relief by using waterjet technology to remove prostate tissue.

According to Baptist Health Paducah urologist Donald Spicer MD, by 50 years-old, half of men will have symptoms that are related to BPH.

“BPH is an increased number of normal cells in the prostate,” said Dr. Spicer. “It’s a very normal problem. By the time men get to age 80, over 90% are having complaints about urination secondary to their prostate. The prostate does two things: it can obstruct the urethra and cause changes in the bladder to cause urination symptoms.”

There are several options to treat BPH, among them are medications and the traditional transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) and other ablative procedures which use steam or heat to remove tissue.

“What Aquablation therapy adds to the picture is a heat-free water jet that’s controlled by our robot,” said Dr. Spicer. “It allows us to be very precise about the removal of prostate tissue, but more importantly gives us predictive results with each patient.”

According to Dr. Spicer, this newer method allows surgeons the opportunity to use advanced technology that improves patient safety profiles and results.

Larry Barnard of Cave-in-Rock, Illinois, had symptoms of BPH and was treated by Dr. Spicer in 2023 using Aquablation therapy. “Dr. Spicer explained it like a power washer where it blasts tissue away, but it’s done in a way that is very controlled.”

Following treatment, Larry experienced minimal recovery time with Aquablation therapy and said he could not be more pleased.

Two years later Larry is still doing well. “Since undergoing Aquablation therapy, I haven’t had any of the issues that brought me into Dr. Spicer’s office,” said Barnard. “I have even been able to help others by telling them about how great my experience was with Dr. Spicer.”

Common symptoms of BHP include the need to urinate frequently or urgently, a slower or weaker urine stream, waking up multiple times at night to urinate, or the feeling that the bladder isn’t emptying fully. If BHP is left untreated, it can cause significant health problems including irreversible bladder or kidney damage, bladder stones, and incontinence.

For more information about Aquablation therapy, BPH, or to schedule an appointment, call Baptist Health Medical Group Urology at 270.442.3539.