Palliative embolization of renal tumors

Area of Science:

• Interventional Radiology
• Nephrology
• Oncology

Background:

• Palliative embolization is a primary treatment for advanced, inoperable renal cell carcinoma presenting with hematuria and pain.
• It is also suitable for patients with solitary kidneys and small tumors, or centrally located inoperable tumors.
• Successful embolization requires occlusion of the main renal artery using metal coils.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of palliative embolization for renal tumors.
• To assess patient survival outcomes following the procedure.
• To explore adjunctive therapies for small renal cancers.

Main Methods:

• Conducted 42 palliative embolizations between 2000 and 2010.
• Patients averaged 75 years old (26 men, 16 women).
• Embolization utilized alcohol, Ivalon (150-250 µm), and metal coils; repeat procedures were performed as needed.

Main Results:

• No serious complications occurred during or after embolization.
• Average survival for deceased patients was 13.5 ± 10.8 months (range: 1-56 months).
• Fourteen patients remained alive at the study's conclusion.

Conclusions:

• Study findings align with existing literature on palliative renal tumor embolization.
• Patients without metastases demonstrated longer survival compared to those with metastases.
• Combination therapy of embolization and radiofrequency ablation offers enhanced safety for small renal cancers.