Embolization of Brain & Spinal Tumors
Embolization of the brain and spinal tumor is a technique that blocks the blood vessels artificially, that hold or stop the blood flow to the tumor. As a result, this leads to the tumor that stops supply of blood and oxygen and also results in the slow growth of the tumor or sometimes it is destroyed in the same way. Specifically, tumors in the head and neck along with the spine are usually treated by blocking the blood supply of the tumor by using a special liquid. This procedure is carried out by inserting a thin tube called catheters through the groin or arm and guiding them through the way of blood vessels to the tumor. Alternatively, there is one option more and that is to perform the procedure by going straight through the skin to reach the tumor.
Understanding the use of embolism
Embolization of vascular tumors in the brain, neck or spine is a great invention of surgical treatment. In case the tumor is present in the brain and spinal cord, it is difficult or even impossible to remove, embolization is often performed before surgery or chemotherapy. Embolization helps to reduce the size of the tumor, this also reduces the risk of complications and also improves the effectiveness of the treatment. Embolization helps in simplifying tumor removal and reduces blood loss during the surgery, it mostly performed before the surgery.
In cases where surgery is not an option to treat the tumor, embolization can be helpful that is performed for certain tumors such as paragangliomas, juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibromas, hemangioblastomas.
Most important to understand that embolization makes the tumor growth slow, also shrinks the tumor and reduces the pressure it exerts on the brain or spinal cord. Embolization helps to reduce the pain and symptoms caused by the tumor.
Diseases Commonly Treated with Embolization
Here are the diseases used for embolization. Common tumors of the brain, neck and spine that embolization is used for:
- Meningiomas
- Hemangiopericytomas
- Juvenile nasal angiofibromas
- Hemangioblastomas
- Aneurysmal bone cysts
- Paragangliomas (carotid body, glomus vagale, glomus jugulare),
- Vascular metastases of renal cell and thyroid carcinoma, melanoma and choriocarcinoma.
Advantages of embolization of brain and spine
Here are some of the common benefits that are due to embolization include:
- Embolization is minimally invasive.
- If embolization is performed before the surgery, less blood loss occurs during the surgery.
- Embolization helps to shrink the tumor.
- It also softens the tumor, this helps in removing it during the surgery.
- For the patients whose surgery is next to impossible, embolization helps to slow down the growth of certain tumors.
Procedure Overview: Embolization of Brain and Spinal Tumors
Embolization of brain and spinal tumor in India is performed under general anaesthetic, which means the patients feel no pain during the procedure. Importantly, this surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that is performed in a neurovascular catheterization unit. To begin with, the very first step of the procedure is to perform a diagnosis.
Minimally invasive procedure leads to less blood loss, greater precision and faster recovery.
Cost of Embolization of brain and spinal tumor in India
The cost of embolization of brain and spinal tumor in India is affordable and cost effective than other western nations. The advanced method of treatment and advancement in technology promotes India globally for their medical care. India is a hub of medical facilities that too at very affordable ranges.
Top neurosurgeons in India provide the best services and greater precision to their cases.
However, the overall cost of the treatment may vary depending on several factors. These factors include the surgeon’s expertise, the type of implant, the location of the hospital, and more.
Summary
Embolization of the brain and spinal tumor is a technique that blocks the blood vessels artificially, that hold or stop the blood flow to the tumor. Specifically, tumors in the head and neck along with the spine are usually treated by blocking the blood supply of the tumor by using a special liquid. Embolization helps to reduce the size of the tumor, this also reduces the risk of complications and also improves the effectiveness of the treatment.
