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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Vascularization, Blood Flow, Oxygenation, Tissue pH, and Bioenergetic Status of Human Breast Cancer

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description

Many solid tumors are relatively resistant to conventional irradiation, chemotherapy and other non-surgical treatment modalities. A variety of factors are involved in the lack of responsiveness of these neoplasms, including (a) an intrinsic, genetically determined resistance and (b) physiological properties primarily created by inadequate and non-uniform vascular networks. Physiological factors which are usually closely linked encompass microcirculatory parameters (including transvascular and interstitial transport), tissue oxygen and nutrient supply, tumor pH and bioenergetic status. Despite the important role of physiological properties for tumor growth and metastasis, for early tumor response to treatment, for tumor detection, and probably for prediction of long-term outcome, reliable data on human solid tumors are scarce although the number of clinical investigations dealing with this subject is rapidly increasing.