Treatment of Renal Adenocarcinoma by Embolic Occlusion of the Renal Circulation

Summary An autologous muscle suspension mixed with contrast medium and injected via a catheter into the renal artery produces a partial thrombosis in the renal vessels with subsequent tissue neccosis. When applied to human cases of renal adenocarcinoma this technique produced a reduced vascularity and widespread necrosis of the tumorous kidney with an appreciable reuciton of its size. Troublesome bleeding ceased and tumours became more accessible to surgical removal. In addition, the findings in a limited number of patients with metastasising renal adenocarcinoma suggested that injection therapy followed by nephrectomy may have a fovourable effect on the further course of the discase. The technique was free from any serious complications and secondary hypertension was not observed.