Endovascular Embolization

Tumors need a lot of blood to grow. Through the embolization procedure, micro-spheres are injected into the artery supplying the tumor, occluding that vessel. Unable to receive blood, the tumor suffocates, cannot feed, and begins to shrink (necrosis). Sometimes this procedure is also performed before surgery to reduce bleeding.

Compared to open brain surgery (opening the skull), it is much lower risk and patient-friendly. By filling the bubble with thin spiral wires called "Coils", the bleeding (rupture) of the bubble is prevented for a lifetime.

Since the procedure is performed entirely intravascularly (there are no pain nerves inside the vessels), it is painless. In sensitive procedures such as brain aneurysms, the patient is put to sleep with general anesthesia, whereas in myoma or prostate embolizations, it is performed while the patient is awake by only numbing the groin.