[Capillary embolization of a hemorrhaging kidney tumor. An unusual case report]

Experimental results of embolization of normal organs did not clarify the value of transcatheter vessel occlusion in the treatment of renal carcinoma. In experimental embolization of chemically induced renal rat tumors the concept of capillary embolization was developed and showed excellent results even in end-stage tumors. In consequence this concept was adapted and transferred to clinical tumor embolization. Of 30 patients, that have been embolized up to now using Ethibloc in combination with 40% glucose as occlusion medium, one case is reported herein with a very favourable outcome. The female patient had intensive venous infiltration of a renal carcinoma accompanied by severe hematuria (T3NxM0V2). Because a patient that seems to be practically cured 30 months after embolization demonstrating massive tumor shrinkage to less than 10% of the original size in CT-controls the use of transcatheter vessel occlusion should again be investigated in association with surgical alternatives.