Therapeutic embolization of pelvic metastases of renal cell carcinoma

The results of arterial embolization of symptomatic pelvic osseous metastases associated with extensive soft tissue tumors in 5 patients with renal cell carcinoma are presented. Of the 5 patients 4 experienced significant relief of pain and improved performance status, as well as objective evidence of bone recalcification or tumor reduction at an average followup of 10 months. One significant complication occurred in a patient with previous local irradiation. Possible advantages over conventional external beam radiation therapy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and future applications of arterial embolization of bulky metastatic tumors are discussed briefly.