Embolization is the selective blocking of blood vessels by placing tiny particles in the vessel. Once the particles in place, the blood flow along that vessel is dimished or stopped entirely. Embolization is used for many purposes, such as cutting off the blood supply to malignant tumors or uterine fibroids, or to stop hemorrhaging in the lungs or nasal passages.

The particles are about the size of a grain of sand, and they are made of a plastic substance that is similar to the material used to make hard contact lenses, called polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).  This is a medical-grade material that is FDA approved for embolization and has been used for embolization in the human body for over 20 years.

Embolization is a catheter-based procedure. The catheter is guided via fluoroscopy (live x-ray) to the location to be blocked. The particles are released until the blood flow has been reduced to the appropriate level. The catheter is withdrawn and the procedure is done.

Chemoembolization is a procedure in which chemotherapy drugs are delivered directly to a cancerous tumor, most often in the liver. In addition to the chemotherapy drugs, the blood vessels feeding the tumor are embolized, reducing the tumor's ability to thrive.

During the procedure, an angiogram is performed so that the arteries that are supplying blood to the tumor can be identified. The chemotherapy drugs are then delivered into the artery so that they move directly to the tumor. After the drugs have been delivered, polyvinyl particles are released in the artery to further starve the tumor of oxygen and nutrients.

Chemoembolization has several benefits over traditional chemotherapy: the drugs are injected directly to the tumor and are more concentrated, the drugs continue to affect the tumors for up to a month, there are fewer side effects because the drugs do not circulate through the body, and the tumors are starved of oxygen and nutriets because the blood supply is compromised.

Chemoembolization is a catheter-based procedure that our doctors perform at Good Samaritan Hospital. The procedure takes about an hour and a short hospital stay is expected.