Spatial heterogeneity in tumor perfusion measured with functional computed tomography at 0.05 microliter resolution.

Abstract

High speed (200 ms temporal resolution) functional computed tomography was used to demonstrate tumor vascular heterogeneity with 0.05 microliter spatial resolution. Vascular topologies were investigated in 2 human small cell lung cancer lines implanted either s.c. or as a tissue isolated preparation in immunocompromised mice. Peripheral versus central vascular topology was identified in the s.c. and tissue-isolated preparations, respectively. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that tumor physiology was influenced by cell line (P = 0.016) and not by location (P > 0.6). This new technique has the potential to characterize individual tumors in patients with minimal invasiveness, permitting more detailed prognosis and management.