Embolization Question

[Pam]

My daughter is scheduled to have this done next week. Can anyone tell me what this is? What can I expect? Is this a painful procedure and will she have to stay in the hospital overhight?

[Diane Stern]

Pam, Embolization is an attempt to cut off the blood supply to the tumor. The surgeon will attempt to block off each blood
vessel individually. They usually can't get all of them at once since some are just too small. Some oncologists believe in a series of embolizations as the sole treatment for GCTs while others will have it done prior to surgery in order to reduce blood loss. From what I understand, many patients will go home the same day, although both times my daughter had them done, she stayed overnight. It's usually just a small incision and the postoperative pain isn't too bad. Please keep us updated on how the procedure goes.

[Kara]

Don't know if your daughter already had her embolization...but I've had approx. 8 of these and they have all been really simple. I've only had to stay over in the hospital once, for my first one. Not painful at all. They are the primary treatment I'm getting right now for my tumor.