Osseous metastases from renal cell carcinoma: embolization and surgery for restoration of function. Work in progress

Five patients underwent preoperative embolization of osseous metastases from renal cell carcinoma. The group consisted of four men and one woman who ranged in age from 46 to 79 years. The lesions were located in the pubic ramus and acetabulum, proximal femur, femoral midshaft, proximal humerus, and proximal tibia. All embolizations were performed within 24 hours of surgery. The internal fixation and tumor curettage was accomplished with estimated perioperative blood loss ranging from 10 ml to 1,250 ml. All patients had significant restoration of function following surgery. We suggest that preoperative embolization is an important and efficacious adjunct in the management of hypervascular renal cell osseous metastases.