Palliative embolization of renal tumors: follow-up of 19 cases.

Palliative renal artery embolization (without subsequent nephrectomy) was performed in 19 patients with renal carcinoma, and the follow-up is presented. Seventeen of the patients had metastatic disease at the time of embolization. Three patients were alive 11, 52, and 56 months after embolization. Gross hematuria was eliminated in 5 patients. Temporary remission of suspected pulmonary metastases was seen in 2 patients. It is concluded that transcatheter embolization alone is not curable and in this series did not affect the overall survival rate; however, local tumor symptoms may be palliated by this method.