What is "embolization"

n. (context surgery English) A nonsurgical, minimally invasive procedure that effects the selective occlusion of blood vessels by purposely introducing embolus.

Embolization or embolisation refers to the passage and lodging of an embolus within the bloodstream. It may be pathological, for example as a surgical complication (in which sense it is also called embolism), or therapeutic, as a hemostatic treatment for bleeding or as a treatment for some types of cancer by deliberately blocking blood vessels to starve the tumor cells.

In the cancer management application, the embolus, besides blocking the blood supply to the tumor, also often includes an ingredient to attack the tumor chemically or with irradiation. When it bears a chemotherapy drug, the process is called chemoembolization. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is the usual form. When the embolus bears a radiopharmaceutical for unsealed source radiotherapy, the process is called radioembolization or selective internal radiation therapy (SIRT).