RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RENAL CAPSULAR ARTERY FEEDING AND SIZE OF VX-2 CARCINOMA IMPLANT IN THE RABBIT KIDNEY

When regional intraarterial infusion is applied in the treatment of ma lignant tumors it is essential to reach the tumor via all its major fe eder vessels. In this study VX-2 carcinoma was implanted into the lowe r pole of the left kidney in 24 rabbits to investigate whether the ren al capsular artery takes part in tumor feeding. The rabbits were divid ed into four groups that were followed for 8, 10, 12 or 14 days after tumor implantation. At that time the renal artery was ligated close to the kidney and subsequently silicone rubber or barium sulfate/gelatin suspension was injected into the capsular artery. The tissue was clea red, and the tumor carefully removed and examined microscopically for traces of silicone rubber. When barium sulfate had been injected, the kidney was examined radiographically in order to detect possible prese nce of contrast medium in the tumor. This study revealed no vascular s upply to the implanted VX-2 carcinoma from the capsular artery when th e tumor was confined intracapsularly, i.e., up to 12 days after tumor implantation in untreated rabbits.