Transcatheter arterial embolization in the management of bleeding in the cancer patient.

Selective transcatheter arterial embolization was performed in 7 cancer patients with gastrointestinal or uterine bleeding. Most were bleeding from neoplastic tissue and were refractory to conservative management. Complete and permanent cessation of bleeding was obtained in 5 patients, including 3 with gastric bleeding, 1 with colonic bleeding, and in 1 with uterine bleeding. Successful arterial embolization allowed further treatment of the underlying disease which was particularly critical as these patients were poor surgical candidates. No significant or prolonged side effects were noted.