The current status of embolization in renal cell carcinoma--a survey of local and national practice.
The current role of renal embolization in carcinoma of the kidney is uncertain. In order to assess surgeons' opinion of its usefulness a questionnaire was circulated to all general urologists practising in Britain and Ireland. Also, a series of cases in which the technique was employed (n = 35) was reviewed and compared with a similar group who were not embolized (n = 40). There was a 71% response to the survey. The principal findings were that all but five urologists believe that embolization should not be used routinely in the management of renal cell carcinoma. Thirty-five per cent stated that they felt it has a role in management of symptoms in metastatic or inoperable tumours. The review of both series of patients in our unit shows that embolization (using 95% ethanol infused via a balloon occlusion catheter) did not reduce peroperative blood loss and did significantly increase hospital stay. There were no deaths in this series, and morbidity was confined to 'post-embolization syndrome' in 16 cases. We believe that in those cases where embolization is indicated, alcohol infusion via a balloon occlusion catheter is a safe and efficient method.
Lanigan
D
D
Department of Urology, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.
Jurriaans
E
E
Hammonds
J C
JC
Wells
I P
IP
Choa
R G
RG
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002292:Carcinoma, Renal Cell / Q000628:therapy*; D002404:Catheterization; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000431:Ethanol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom
D000431:Ethanol