Palliative embolization of arterial renal tumour supply. Results in 10 cases

Palliative occlusion of the arterial renal tumour supply was performed in 10 patients and the follow up is reported. Nine of the patients had no subsequent nephrectomy. Spongostan (99% gelatin) was used as the embolic material in 4 patients with the addition of steel coils in 2. Bucrylate was used in 6 cases. Six patients are alive with survival rates presently ranging from 3 to 24 months after embolization. Improvement of the survival time cannot be estimated but local symptoms such as hematuria and pain may be treated in those patients with renal tumours who are not considered for surgery.