Renal devitalization with ethanol injection in management of patients with advanced hypernephroma

Transcatheter injection of ethanol into the renal artery was utilized in 11 patients with hypernephromas, clincally staged C or D, in an attempt to produce renal devitalization. Complete disappearance of the tumor neovascularity was achieved in 9 of 11 patients. Renal divitalization with ethanol injection is safer and more effective than the embolizing technique utilized hitherto and should be included in the primary treatment of hypernephroma in selected cases or in conjunction with other procedures to induce chemical nephrectomy.