Therapeutic embolization for hemorrhage from locally recurrent cancer of the breast

Embolization therapy is reported in three patients bleeding from metastatic carcinoma of the breast. Two had life threatening hemorrhage from sternal erosion; internal mammary arteriography indicated encasement, false aneurysm formation or tumor blush. The third patient had intermittent bleeding of extensive fungating axillary and anterior chest wall metastases. Autologous clot alone was used in the first case with immediate cessation of bleeding and transient neurological symptoms secondary to back flow of thrombus into the vertebral artery were noted. The second and third patients received Oxycel-Ivalon and Gel-foam respectively; bleeding ceased and no complications were noted.