Pancreatic tumors show high levels of hypoxia.
OBJECTIVE
Because of the dismal outcomes of conventional therapies for pancreatic carcinomas, we postulated that hypoxia may exist within these tumors.


METHODS
Seven sequential patients with adenocarcinomas of the pancreas consented to intraoperative measurements of tumor oxygenation using the Eppendorf (Hamburg, Germany) polargraphic electrode.


RESULTS
All 7 tumors demonstrated significant tumor hypoxia. In contrast, adjacent normal pancreas showed normal oxygenation.


CONCLUSIONS
Tumor hypoxia exists within pancreatic cancers.
Koong
A C
AC
Department Radiation Oncology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. akoong@cmgm.stanford.edu
Mehta
V K
VK
Le
Q T
QT
Fisher
G A
GA
Terris
D J
DJ
Brown
J M
JM
Bastidas
A J
AJ
Vierra
M
M
D000368:Aged; D015687:Cell Hypoxia; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000502:physiology; D010190:Pancreatic Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010313:Partial Pressure
D010100:Oxygen