Monitored Regional Hypoxia in Radiotherapy

Abstract

Two patients with bone tumours in the distal end of the femur have been treated by radiotherapy in eight and seven weekly fractions, respectively, by 15 MeV X rays together with regional hypoxia. The tissue oxygen concentrations were measured and showed levels of about 10 μ mole per litre in thigh muscle, after an orthopaedic cuff had been applied to the thigh to occlude the blood flow for up to 55 minutes. Bone cavity blood flow was reduced by producing temporary hypotension with a ganglion blocking agent. This investigation shows the feasibility of this technique for treatment of tumours which may be resistant to radiation on account of nests of hypoxic cells.