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 showed normal oxygenation. Conclusion …