Transcatheter arterial embolization of vesical artery in the treatment of invasive bladder cancer.

Transcatheter arterial embolization was performed in a total of 70 patients with invasive bladder cancer from October 1980 to December 1987. It was performed as a part of multidisciplinary treatment in patients with invasive bladder cancer. Microencapsulated mitomycin C, gelatin sponge and lipiodol (iodized oil) were used as the embolic material. As a result, reduction of tumor size was noted in 56.7%, but there was no embolic materials-related significant difference. Stage reduction was noted in 72.7% of patients where pathological stages were confirmed by operation. Hemostatic effects were noted in 76.5%. The symptoms of side effects included fever, leukocytosis, urinary frequency and pain, but none of them was severe. The results of the present study indicate that embolization of the vesical artery is useful in the treatment of bladder cancer.