Pancreatic tumors show high levels of hypoxia

Koong, Albert C; Mehta, Vivek K; Le, Quynh T; Fisher, George A; Terris, David J; Brown, J.Martin; Bastidas, Augusto J; Vierra, Mark

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Volume 48, Issue 4 , Pages 919-922, 1 November 2000

Pancreatic tumors show high levels of hypoxia

Presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncologists Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA (USA), May 20–23, 2000.

Albert C Koong, M.D., Ph.D.
- Co-First Authors. Both individuals contributed equally to the conception, design, execution, and data analysis of this project.
- Department Radiation Oncology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
- Co-First Authors. Both individuals contributed equally to the conception, design, execution, and data analysis of this project.
- Reprint request to: Dr. Albert C. Koong, Department of Radiation Oncology, MC5302, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305
Vivek K Mehta, M.D.
- Co-First Authors. Both individuals contributed equally to the conception, design, execution, and data analysis of this project.
- Department Radiation Oncology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
- Co-First Authors. Both individuals contributed equally to the conception, design, execution, and data analysis of this project.
Quynh T Le, M.D.
- Department Radiation Oncology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
George A Fisher, M.D., Ph.D.
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
David J Terris, M.D.
- Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
J.Martin Brown, Ph.D.
- Department Radiation Oncology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
Augusto J Bastidas, M.D.
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA
Mark Vierra, M.D.
- Department of Surgery, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA, USA

Accepted 25 July 2000.

Abstract

Purpose: Because of the dismal outcomes of conventional therapies for pancreatic carcinomas, we postulated that hypoxia may exist within these tumors.

Methods and Materials: 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.

Conclusion: Tumor hypoxia exists within pancreatic cancers.

Keywords: Hypoxia, Oxygenation, Pancreas, Adenocarcinoma