INTERSTITIAL HYPERTENSION IN HEAD AND NECK TUMORS IN PATIENTS - CORRELATION WITH TUMOR SIZE

Elevated interstitial fluid pressure (IFP) is associated with poor blo od supply and inadequate delivery of drugs to solid tumors. IFP was me asure in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region in human s using the wick-in-needle technique. In all lesions (n = 19), the IFP was elevated (4-33 mm Hg). Furthermore, the IFP increased with tumor size. The highest IFP was 33 mm Hg in a 24-ml tumor. In one tumor, the IFP was found to be negative (-2.6 mm Hg), which is comparable to tha t in human skin or subcutaneous tissue. The histopathology of this tum or was benign. If this pressure difference between malignant and benig n lesions can be confirmed in a large number of tumors, then the IFP c ould be used to aid tumor detection during needle biopsy. The value of IFP as a predictor of response to radiotherapy, photodynamic therapy, hyperthermia, and chemotherapy should be assessed prospectively.