Embolization of hemorrhage caused by carcinoma of the pharynx.

A patient with severe bleeding due to carcinoma of the pharynx, uncontrollable by surgical intervention, was successfully treated by bilateral transcatheter embolization of the external carotid arteries using gel-foam. Although these lesions may appear hypovascular angiographically, this does not preclude embolization as a valuable therapeutic technique. Our experience with this patient indicates that transcatheter embolization is an especially appropriate approach to controlling bleeding in patients with extensive malignant disease when no other therapy is available.