Endovascular Tumor Embolization

Our subspecialized team of neurosurgeons is trained in the most minimally invasive and cutting-edge procedures that offer optimal outcomes while reducing the risk of complications and limiting the impact on daily life. 

Visit our Specialty Center

What is endovascular tumor embolization? 

Blood supply is a major consideration when determining how to approach the removal of a brain or spinal tumor. When the tumor is being supplied by a particularly dense or rich blood supply, we may recommend endovascular embolization as a first step. 

Endovascular tumor embolization is typically recommended as a pre-surgical intervention. During this minimally invasive procedure, we work to safely cut off the blood supply to tumors, making it easier to resect. Without its rich blood supply, the tumor can shrink and its growth can slow or even stop. In cases where a tumor is inoperable, embolization can help improve quality of life or prognosis by limiting its growth. 

What is the embolization procedure like? 

Embolization is a minimally invasive procedure during which a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) is inserted into a blood vessel through a small incision, typically near the groin, and guided up toward the blood vessels that feed the tumor. In many cases, regional anesthesia may be used, which eliminates the need for general anesthesia. 

Once the catheter has reached the area near the tumor, embolic agents, such as small beads, coils, or liquid adhesives, are delivered to cut off the blood supply to the tumor. Special care is taken to ensure that the veins or arteries being blocked are only feeding the tumor, and are not essential to directing blood supply to other areas, such as the eyes. 

Careful imaging is conducted throughout the procedure to ensure there is no disruption to other delicate areas of the brain or spine. 

Do tumor embolizations have a high success rate? 

When it comes to tumor embolization, success is defined in many different ways. For most patients, tumor embolization is a highly effective approach and is useful for limiting a tumor’s growth, preparing for brain or spinal surgery, or relieving symptoms and improving quality of life. 

Endovascular tumor embolization is especially successful for highly vascular tumors, or those supplied by a high number of blood vessels, such as meningiomas and glomus tumors. 

Risks include non-target embolization where blood vessels feeding normal tissue are inadvertently cut off, as well as stroke or infection at the incision site.    

What is the recovery time? 

Recovery from endovascular tumor embolization is similar to other minimally invasive procedures. Patients may remain at the hospital several days for monitoring or can be discharged the same day depending on unique circumstances. There are no restrictions on eating, drinking, or walking around the house even on the first day of recovery. 

The surgeon will provide more specific follow-up direction regarding: 

• When it is safe to resume driving
• When to resume lifting objects heavier than 5 or 10 pounds
• When it is safe for the  incision site to get wet during a shower or bath

Typically, every patient is cleared to resume normal activities and lifestyle 4 to six weeks following endovascular surgery. 

Why might tumor embolization be recommended instead of – or before – traditional brain surgery? 

In cases where the tumor is identified as highly vascular, tumor embolization is a useful pre-surgical step to help make the eventual tumor resection safer and more manageable. Not only does tumor embolization help reduce blood loss during surgery, but in many cases it can limit or stop a tumor’s growth, or possibly shrink it prior to open brain surgery. 

When a tumor is deemed inoperable, either due to late diagnosis, the tumor’s location, or its size, endovascular tumor embolization is a useful procedure to help both control the tumor and relieve symptoms, improving quality of life. Embolization can reduce pain, neurological symptoms, or the pressure on the brain caused by the tumor.