Radioembolization of renal cell carcinoma using yttrium-90 microspheres

摘要

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 3.5% of malignancies. One-third manifest with metastases and are associated with radioresistance and poor prognosis (1). Although surgery is an option, it is often precluded by the extent of the disease. We report a case of metastatic RCC treated with radio-embolization in a 76-year-old woman. She presented to the emergency department in October 2001 with a 2-day history of worsening abdominal pain and intractable nausea and vomiting. Computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a large left renal mass (14.7 x 11.1 cm) (Fig 1). Three large hypervascular liver lesions were also noted (Fig 2a and b). Biopsy of the renal mass confirmed RCC (sarcomatoid subtype). Biopsy of the largest hepatic mass also confirmed metastatic RCC.