When regional
intraarterial infusion is applied in the treatment of malignant
tumors it is essential to reach the
tumor via all its major feeder vessels. In this study VX-2
carcinoma was implanted into the lower pole of the left kidney in 24 rabbits to investigate whether the renal capsular artery takes part in
tumor feeding. The rabbits were divided 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 on
barium sulfate/
gelatin suspension was injected into the capsular artery. The tissue was cleared, 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 presence of contrast medium in the
tumor. This study revealed no vascular supply to the implanted VX-2
carcinoma from the capsular artery when the
tumor was confined intracapsularly, i.e., up to 12 days after
tumor implantation in untreated rabbits.