Management of renal carcinoma--a questionnaire survey

Questionnaires on the management of renal carcinoma were returned by 134 British urologists. Analysis revealed that ultrasound is used, as a routine investigation, by 93% of the respondents, whereas abdominal CT scanning is used routinely by only 16%. Renal arterial embolisation is used by 60% of respondents; a further 12% indicated that, having tried the technique, they had given it up. Of 81 surgeons using embolisation, 44% were hopeful that it offered systemic benefit to the patient and 54% delay nephrectomy after embolisation. Regression of metastases following treatment was reported by 58 surgeons. Details of metastatic regression in 60 patients revealed that pulmonary metastases were involved in 83%. Embolisation featured in the management of only 11 such patients.