Blood Flow, Oxygen Consumption and Tissue Oxygenation of Human Tumors

Abstract

A great number of malignancies are relatively resistant to radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other non-surgical treatment modalities. A variety of factors are involved in the lack of responsiveness of these neoplasms including an intrinsic, genetically determined resistance and physiological, extrinsic (epigenetic, environmental) factors primarily created by inadequate and heterogeneous vascular networks^1–3. Thus, properties such as tumor blood flow and tissue oxygen supply, factors which usually go hand in hand, can markedly influence the therapeutic response. Data on these parameters are mostly derived from rodent tumors. However, fast-growing rodent tumors might not adequately represent the multitude of neoplastic growths encountered in patients. Unfortunately, data on human tumors in situ are scarce and there may be significant errors associated with the techniques used for measurements. This should be kept in mind when comparing available results from the literature.