Pancreatic tumors show high levels of hypoxia

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 shelved normal oxygenation. Conclusion: Tumor hypoxia exists within pancreatic cancers. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Inc.