The role of arterial embolization in renal cell carcinoma.

Twenty-five years ago arterial embolization was introduced to facilitate the surgical excision of the carcinomatous kidney or to palliate symptoms, such as haemorrhage from non-resectable tumours. The role of this technique in the therapeutic armamentarium has been a source of debate in the literature. We reviewed all the available literature. A total of 389 papers were evaluated. Fifty-one publications and 3225 case histories met explicit entry criteria for inclusion. Until now no prospective randomized study of this approach to the management of renal carcinoma has been published. In the majority of studies the patients are grouped together irrespective of indication, i.e. pre-operative or palliative. Few articles are prospective or contain clear information regarding tumour stage, indication and adequate follow-up. Although we are not able to distinguish with certainty the effect of embolization on the course of the disease, it seems that complete pre-operative renal artery embolization facilitates the excision of large vein-invading tumours. The optimal delay between embolization and operation is probably one day. The embolization material of choice is ethanol. Palliative embolization in non-operable tumours with serious haemorrhage seems to have been successful in most cases. The scientific basis for the implementation of renal artery embolization in renal cell carcinoma is weak. We believe that either controlled trials or parallel prospective cohort studies should be undertaken to compare treatment of selected locally advanced renal carcinomas with and without embolization.     

The role of transarterial embolization in the treatment of renal cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To review the role of transarterial renal embolization in our unit, assessing the indications, tolerability and efficacy of this technique for treating renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing transarterial embolization between 1991 and 1999 were identified and 25 case notes analysed retrospectively. RESULTS: Most patients (14 of 25) presented with less advanced (stage I-III) RCC who were unable or unwilling to undergo radical surgery; the remainder (11) presented with advanced (stage IV) disease. The embolizing agent was ethanol, usually combined with stainless steel coils (85% of cases). Procedural pain and fever was controlled successfully. The median hospital stay associated with the procedure was 4 days. At the time of analysis six of 11 stage IV and 11 of 14 stage I-III patients were alive (median follow-up 27 and 39 months, respectively). Symptoms from the primary tumour were well controlled. Overall, 17 of 25 (68%) of patients reported no problems while three (12%) required brief hospital admission for treatment of persistent haematuria. Fourteen patients were subsequently re-staged; the primary tumour in two had increased, in seven remained unchanged and in five it decreased. No patients without metastases developed them and metastases in two patients regressed. CONCLUSION: Transarterial embolization is associated with minimal morbidity and complications, and subsequent symptom control is good. The effect of palliative embolization on RCC progression is unknown and requires prospective investigation. Presently, there is no role for cytoreductive embolization; it should be included as a treatment option in clinical trials evaluating such options in patients with metastatic RCC.     

The role of embolization in radical surgery of renal cell carcinoma spinal metastases

Background  Radical surgery of renal cell carcinoma spinal metastases carries a high risk due to potentially life-threatening extreme blood loss. Radical preoperative embolization of renal cell carcinoma metastases alone is not necessarily a guarantee of extreme blood loss not occurring during operation. Methods  A retrospective analysis of 15 patients following radical surgery for a spinal metastases of a renal cell carcinoma was performed. Eight patients were embolized preoperatively and 7 were not. We analysed features influencing peroperative blood loss: size and extent of tumour, complexity of surgical approaches and radicality of embolization. Results  The embolized and non embolized groups were not comparable before treatment. They differed markedly in size of tumour as well as the complexity of approach. In the embolized group the size of the tumour was, on average, twice as large as that in non embolized patients and more complex approaches were used twice as frequently. Despite findings suggesting that embolization was effective, blood loss was greater in the embolized group of 8 patients (4750 ml), compared to the non-embolized group of 7 patients (1786 ml). Conclusion  Metastasis size, extent of tumour, technical complexity of surgery and the completeness of preoperative embolization had an important effect on the amount of peroperative blood loss. The evaluation of the benefits of preoperative embolization only on the basis of blood loss is not an adequate method.     

Renal arterial embolization for renal cell carcinoma

Renal arterial embolization is often used in the treatment of patients with renal cell carcinoma, either preoperatively to facilitate nephrectomy or as palliative therapy in advanced cases. Eighteen patients (18/58; 31%) underwent renal arterial embolization in our department since 1979, initial 10 cases with Gelfoam and steel coil (group G) and recent 8 cases with absolute ethanol (group A). Clinical studies of daily changes of symptoms and blood chemistry in both groups after embolization were compared and the results were as follows: Severe flank pain was noted immediately after embolization but thereafter well controlled without analgesics in group A. The patients in group G experienced no pain during the procedure of embolization but have had moderate flank pain of two or three days' duration with nausea and/or vomiting and required surgical procedure within a few days after embolization. Post embolization fever in group A was described as higher than that in group G significantly. Leukocytosis was noted to be persistent for up to seven days and blood chemistry showed transient marked elevations of GOT, GPT and LDH immediately after the procedure without significant value in both groups. Embolization to advanced tumor with many parasitic vessels or massive local invasion may not always be available for remaining of viable-appearing tumor cells in venous lumen, as if palliative treatment. Absolute ethanol may be more useful as the embolizing substance than Gelfoam and steel coil by reason of producing wide severe infarction of diseased kidney. Broad marked infarction due to renal arterial embolization may make pathological diagnosis difficult. Immunological effects of renal arterial embolization were not observed in short term patients survival.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The role of surgery in renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma accounts about three percent of all adult neoplasms. This review provides a current status about the surgical management of renal cell carcinoma. In localised carcinomas radical nephrectomy is still the standard treatment and provides 5 Year survival rates up to 98 %. As nephron-sparing surgery in mandatory indications can achieve similar survival doubt can be expressed whether lymphadenectomy or adrenalectomy are necessary in every case. Nephron-sparing surgery is associated with a higher rate of operative complications up to 40 % and probably with a higher risk of local recurrence. However, parenchymal-sparing surgery in elective indications is possible for small tumors, if long term follow up is guaranteed. But there is no convincing advantage of nephron-sparing surgery to recommend this procedure as a general approach in patients with a normal contralateral kidney. Radical surgery in renal carcinomas invading to the vena cava still remains a challenging surgical intervention. Nevertheless, in selected patients surgery can realise long term survival in over a third of cases. Palliative nephrectomy in metastatic renal carcinomas is only justified in real palliative indications (bleeding, pain) or in clinical trials investigating cytoreductive surgery before immunotherapy. In highly selected patients with metastatic renal carcinoma a radical surgical approach including nephrectomy and complete metastasectomy can achieve long term survival.     

The role of surgery in renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma accounts about three percent of all adult neoplasms. This review provides a current status about the surgical management of renal cell carcinoma. In localised carcinomas radical nephrectomy is still the standard treatment and provides 5 Year survival rates up to 98 %. As nephron-sparing surgery in mandatory indications can achieve similar survival doubt can be expressed whether lymphadenectomy or adrenalectomy are necessary in every case. Nephron-sparing surgery is associated with a higher rate of operative complications up to 40 % and probably with a higher risk of local recurrence. However, parenchymal-sparing surgery in elective indications is possible for small tumors, if long term follow up is guaranteed. But there is no convincing advantage of nephron-sparing surgery to recommend this procedure as a general approach in patients with a normal contralateral kidney. Radical surgery in renal carcinomas invading to the vena cava still remains a challenging surgical intervention. Nevertheless, in selected patients surgery can realise long term survival in over a third of cases. Palliative nephrectomy in metastatic renal carcinomas is only justified in real palliative indications (bleeding, pain) or in clinical trials investigating cytoreductive surgery before immunotherapy. In highly selected patients with metastatic renal carcinoma a radical surgical approach including nephrectomy and complete metastasectomy can achieve long term survival.     

The role of lymphadenectomy in renal cell carcinoma

The standard of care for localized and metastatic renal cell carcinoma includes a nephrectomy. The potential benefits for lymphadenectomy include more accurate staging, decreased risk of local recurrence, and improved survival. However, the benefits of lymph node dissection have not been proven.     

Spontaneous regression of renal cell carcinoma metastases after preoperative embolization of primary tumor and subsequent nephrectomy.

Preoperative arterial embolization and infarction of a large renal cell carcinoma followed by radical nephrectomy seven days later led to spontaneous regression of pulmonary metastases. However, a cerebral metastatic deposit manifested itself fourteen months after surgery, requiring craniotomy. Presently, the patient is alive and well with no evidence of disease twenty-one months after his original surgery. The immunologic implications of this favorable response to treatment are discussed, and immunologic testing of similar cases is encouraged.     

The role of socioeconomic status in renal cell carcinoma

Gender, race, income level, and socioeconomic status (SES) are factors in the decision to diagnose and treat patients with localized and advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC). These variables affect both health care delivery at the provider level as well as health care receipt and decision-making at the patient level. The purpose of this article is to review current literature regarding the role of socioeconomic status and patient demographics on the risk of developing, diagnosing, and treating RCC. The article will also address RCC-related treatment costs and reimbursements.     

The role of adjuvant immunotherapy in renal cell carcinoma

After nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a significant number of patients develop recurrent disease. In order to improve the prognosis of these patients, the role of adjuvant immunotherapy should be clarified; the appropriate selection of patients is especially crucial. For this purpose, the search for prognostic factors is important to identify at-risk patients. Known factors such as stage, grade, and microvascular invasion can be used for appropriate selection. Other molecular markers, such as cadherin-6 and G250 antigen, may become important. So far, adjuvant immunotherapy in RCC has not shown improved survival data, but the results may be hampered by inadequate recruitment and follow-up. Adequate selection of patients and the search for less toxic and more effective immunotherapy approaches are of importance. Therefore, the use of monoclonal antibody G250 or dendritic cell vaccinations, alone or together with cytokines, may be advantageous and is currently used. Today, adjuvant protocols are open for recruitment of patients to elucidate the important question as to whether this approach should be implemented in the treatment of RCC. In this article, an update is given in the field of adjuvant immunotherapy in patients with RCC.     

Therapeutic embolization of pelvic metastases of renal cell carcinoma

The results of arterial embolization of symptomatic pelvic osseous metastases associated with extensive soft tissue tumors in 5 patients with renal cell carcinoma are presented. Of the 5 patients 4 experienced significant relief of pain and improved performance status, as well as objective evidence of bone recalcification or tumor reduction at an average followup of 10 months. One significant complication occurred in a patient with previous local irradiation. Possible advantages over conventional external beam radiation therapy of metastatic renal cell carcinoma and future applications of arterial embolization of bulky metastatic tumors are discussed briefly.     

Selective therapeutic embolization of renal cell carcinoma in solitary kidneys

We report 3 cases of renal cell carcinoma in a solitary kidney treated by selective tumor embolization. Embolization resulted in occlusion of the majority of the vascular supply of the tumor, with preservation of normal renal parenchyma and sufficient renal function. Selective tumor embolization is a good therapeutic alternative in patients in whom partial nephrectomy cannot be performed. Owing to the limited availability of bucrylate, absolute ethanol is recommended as the preferred embolic agent.     

In vitro growth of renal cell carcinoma after preoperative renal infarction

Renal cell carcinoma tissue was cultured from 2 patients who underwent embolization of the tumor before surgery and from 2 patients who did not have the tumor embolized. A combination of small Gelfoam particles and polyvinyl alcohol foam particles (250–590 μ diameter) was used to devascularize maximally the tumors that were embolized. The tumor cells from all 4 patients grew in short-term tissue cultures and demonstrated histology and growth properties characteristic of tumor cells. Successful embolization of renal cell carcinomas may not completely infarct the primary tumor, and local tumor growth may continue.     

The role of lymph node dissection in renal cell carcinoma

The role of lymph node dissection (LND) in the staging and treatment of renal cell carcinoma has long been a topic of debate. The controversy has focused on whether LND is purely an adjunctive staging procedure or has a therapeutic role in the management of this disease. Potential benefits include enhanced staging, better selection for adjuvant therapies/clinical trials, a decrease in recurrence rates, and improved disease-specific and overall survival. This article reviews the available literature on LND in renal cell carcinoma and discusses the potential benefits of aggressive surgical resection in select high-risk patients.     

Transcatheter embolization of advanced renal cell carcinoma with radioactive seeds

Advanced renal cell carcinoma was treated by transcatheter embolization with radioactive seeds. There were 14 patients with nonresectable or metastatic disease (stage IV) and 8 with stage II tumors treated. In 8 patients the tumor was implanted with radon seeds, complemented by 2,500 rad of external beam therapy, and 10 were treated by embolization with 125iodine seeds. The total dose delivered ranged form 1,600 to 14,000 rad. Several patients also had intra-arterial chemotherapy. Survival was improved over previously reported studies: 13 of 22 (59 per cent) at risk for 2 years and 5 of 15 (33 per cent) for 5 years. Distant metastases did not resolve but significant local palliation was achieved. Tumor size decreased in all patients, 8 of whom subsequently underwent nephrectomy. Other local effects included pain control (10 per cent), weight gain (75 per cent) and control of hemorrhage (88 per cent). Toxicity was minimal and consisted of mild nausea or pain. This approach, using a low energy emitter, allows selective high dose radiation of the tumor, while sparing the adjacent normal tissues. In contrast to renal artery occlusion with inert embolic material, subsequent nephrectomy in patients with disseminated disease is not necessary. Transcatheter embolization with radioactive seeds should be considered a reasonable palliative procedure in patients with nonresectable primary renal cell carcinoma.     

Changes of vasoactive substances following embolization for renal cell carcinoma

Renal arterial embolization and subsequent nephrectomy or nephrectomy alone were performed in 34 patients with renal cell carcinoma. Renal arterial embolization caused a blood pressure elevation concomitant with an increase in plasma renin activity (PRA), urinary aldosterone excretion or urinary prostaglandin (PGE₂) excretion. Subsequent nephrectomy normalized hypertension and reduced the levels of these vasoactive substances. There were significant relationships between the increase in mean blood pressure and the increase in PRA, the increment in mean blood pressure and the increment in urinary aldosterone excretion, and the increase in PRA and increase in log urinary PGE₂ excretion following embolization. These evidences suggest that enhancement of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system participates in the development of hypertension following embolization, and increased PRA may play an important role in the release of urinary PGE₂.