Pancreatic tumors show high levels of hypoxia

Purpose: Because of the dismal outcomes of conventional therapies for pancr eatic carcinomas, we postulated that hypoxia may exist within these tumors, Methods and Materials: Seven sequential patients with adenocarcinomas of th e pancreas consented to intraoperative measurements of tumor oxygenation us ing 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 Elsevi er Science Inc.