[Limitations and hazards of palliative renal tumor embolization]

Today the indication for palliative embolization of inoperable renal carcinoma is more restricted than several years ago. Reviewing 31 own palliative occlusions of the renal artery in 29 patients over a period of 5 1/2 years two main reasons for this attitude are presented: 1. Because of collateral or parasitic vascular supply of kidney tumors the occlusion of the renal arteries only results in a retarded tumor growth rate and does not seem to prolong patient survival. 2. the "postembolization syndrome" after tumor occlusion has a relatively high complication rate and lethality (20% serious side effects, 3% deaths directly related to embolization). Therefore embolization of inoperable renal carcinomas is justified only in patients whose remaining lifetime can be alleviated by this measure. Certain indications are: massive hematuria, severe local pain due to the tumor and life endangering endocrine tumor activity, e.g. hypercalcemia. Uncertain indications such as recurring but not perilous hematuria causing progressive anemia and refusal of tumor surgery should be carefully balanced against the hazards of embolization.