Tumor blood flow measurements using coincidence counting on patients treated with neutrons.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this work was to measure blood flow in tumors using a coincidence counting technique on patients undergoing treatment with neutrons.


METHODS
The half-time, Tw, for the washout of 15O from neutron-activated tumors was measured with two 10 cm NaI(Tl) crystals coupled to a PC-based coincidence counting system. Blood flow measurements were made in 33 patients, 19 of whom had cancers of the head and neck region, 6 had breast cancer, 5 had sarcomas, and 3 patients had mesotheliomas.


RESULTS
Blood flow as indicated by Tw of mobile 15O formed by neutron activation could be readily determined in tumors of patients undergoing neutron radiotherapy. The general reduction in the value for Tw was noted towards the end of treatment and did not seem to be dependent on the initial tumor volume. There was a tendency for larger lesions to be associated with longer half-times of 15O washout.


CONCLUSIONS
It appears possible to obtain a reasonable estimate of tumor blood flow using a simple coincidence counting technique. In view of the large variation in blood flow between tumors, it did not appear to be possible to identify potentially hypoxic tumors that would respond to neutron therapy.
Hering
E R
ER
Department of Medical Physics, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory, South Africa.
Blekkenhorst
G H
GH
Jones
D T
DT
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006207:Half-Life; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008654:Mesothelioma / Q000097:blood / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009502:Neutrons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010104:Oxygen Radioisotopes / Q000378:metabolism*; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D012509:Sarcoma / Q000097:blood / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D013997:Time Factors
D010104:Oxygen Radioisotopes