Embolization is one of the most common techniques for treating brain tumors. Brain tumor embolization involves filling nearby arteries with different materials, polyvinyl alcohol particles, soft metal coils or a medical glue made from n-Butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) or a co-polymer called Onyx. There are different ways and different materials that can be used to plug up a diseased artery.
The process sounds frightening to some patients, but once you learn more about brain tumor embolization you will see that it gives you a safe option for treating a serious health issue. Tumor embolizations are usually performed with the goal to make the ensuing tumor resection a safer surgery. During tumor embolization blood supply to the tumor gets blocked, allowing the brain surgeons to encounter less bleeding during resection. Tumor resection is usually done at a later date after tumor embolization.
Pro: Tumor Embolization Only Requires a Small Incision
Tumor embolization does not require direct access to the brain, so your neurosurgeon will not need to make a hole in your skull. Instead, your surgeon will make a small incision in your femoral artery, which is located at the top of your leg.
After making the incision, your neurosurgeon will use imaging technology to guide a catheter through your artery to the affected part of your brain. It’s an extremely safe procedure that usually requires minimal recovery time.
Con: The Puncture Site Can Experience Some Pain
Some patients experience pain at the puncture site. Your doctor can control the pain by administering anesthesia. Since it’s easier and safer for you to lie still during your tumor embolization, your doctor may want to use general anesthesia that will leave you unconscious during the procedure.
There are some risks associated with general anesthesia, but the medical staff will monitor your vital signs to make sure you do not experience any serious effects.
You may experience some pain at the incision area for several days or weeks after undergoing surgery. In many cases, you can control the pain with over-the-counter medication. If the pain is too severe for over-the-counter medication, your doctor may prescribe a stronger drug that keeps you comfortable while you recover.
Con: There Is a Small Risk of Infection After the Procedure
Since tumor embolization requires an incision in your femoral artery, there is a chance that you could develop an infection. Any cut in the skin can increase your risk of getting an infection.
You can lower your risk of getting an infection by keeping the incision clean and dry until it has healed. Always wash your hands before tending to the cut. Unclean hands can introduce bacteria to the incision site.
If you noticed unusual swelling or prolonged pain at the incision site, contact your doctor for assistance. Post-surgery infections can cause serious health problems. Addressing the issue as soon as possible will help you avoid medical issues.
Pro: Embolization May Eliminate the Need for Brain Surgery
Surgeons use embolization to separate tumors from their blood supplies. In some cases, filling the tumor with medical chemotherapeutic agents eliminates the need for future brain surgery. If your doctor manages to control the tumor through embolization, you may return to your normal life without future complications or symptoms.
Pro: Embolization Makes Tumor Removal Surgeries Safer
Keep in mind that embolization doesn’t always eliminate the need for brain surgery. Depending on the type, size and location of your tumor, you may still need to undergo additional surgeries. Your doctor can review your specific case to decide whether you will need to have the tumor removed.
Embolization still plays an important role in tumor removal surgeries. When your doctor uses embolization to separate the tumor from its supply of blood, he or she can reduce the risk of bleeding during tumor removal surgery. By reducing the amount of bleeding, your doctor can make your next surgery much safer. Without embolization, it’s possible that he or she could find uncontrolled bleeding. Embolization doesn’t eliminate that risk, but it gives you considerably better odds.
Pro: Embolization Usually Has a Short Recovery Timeline
You can expect to stay in the hospital for one or two days after undergoing embolization. During that time, the hospital staff will monitor your recovery and make sure you feel comfortable. If anything unexpected happens, the staff will respond immediately to stabilize your condition.
Full recovery from embolization usually five to seven days. While recovering, you should avoid any strenuous activity that may reopen the incision site. After a few days, you may feel comfortable walking. If you do, take your time and make sure you use extreme caution since you do not want to fall.
Recovery times vary from patient to patient depending on how healthy they are and how successful their procedures are. You can always talk to your doctor about how long it will likely take for you to recover.
Embolization has made brain tumor treatments much safer. In the past, surgeons didn’t know what to expect while performing procedures. They could encounter sudden bleeding that put their patients’ lives in danger. Today, however, surgeons who use brain tumor embolization know that they have already taken steps to prevent unexpected bleeding. While nothing can eliminate the risk of brain surgery, embolization has certainly made procedures safer.
