PET Measurement of Tumor Metabolism in Patients with Gliomas

Brain tumors are considered to have well-integrated metabolic systems, because each tumor survives and maintains an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level and energy charge. Diversity of metabolic patterns was noted in specimens of human brain tumors [1]. Biochemical assay may not always reflect in vivo enzyme activities and the metabolites of resected tumor tissues: it is not pure and is usually contaminated with heterogenous materials such as necroses and stromal tissues.