[Arterial embolization therapy for metastatic bone and soft-tissue tumors with microcatheter and microcoils]

Transcatheter arterial embolization therapy was performed in fifteen patients with hypervascular metastatic bone and soft-tissue tumors (7 from renal carcinoma, 5 from hepatocellular carcinoma, and one each from breast, thyroid, and cholangiocarcinoma). Sites of metastasis were spine (7), pelvis (5), skull (2), paraspine (2), chest wall (1), and thigh (1). Five patients had not responded to previous radiation therapy and hyperthermia. Embolization of feeding arteries was performed superselectively with long tapered catheters or coaxial microcatheters. Emulsion of Lipiodol and anticancer agent, polyvinyl alcohol sponge, gelatin sponge, and microcoils were used as embolic materials in various combinations. Relief of pain was experienced in 14 of 15 patients. Two patients were operated following embolization with minimal blood loss. Change in tumor size was evaluated by CT or MRI in ten patients. Reduction of tumor size were more than 50% in five patients, from 25% to 50% in two, and no change in three patients. Especially, patients embolized with microcatheter and microcoils showed excellent long-term results. No serious complications were seen. In conclusion, superselective arterial embolization therapy with coaxial microcatheter and microcoils was proved to be an useful treatment for hypervascular metastatic bone and soft-tissue tumors.