Dialysis membrane and diffusion of metastatic cancer cells.

From a critical review of series of patients on hemodialysis for chronic renal failure and operated for renal neoplasms, it appears there is a low incidence of metastases compared to series of patients operated for malignant renal neoplasms and who have not undergone hemodialysis. In patients on hemodialysis, there are various elements that can influence the diffusion of metastatic cells, such as cytokines, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, anticoagulants and bisphosphonates. However, particular reference must be made to the possibility of the dialysis membrane in the blocking or inactivation of tumor cells.