[Influence of hemoglobin level, arterial oxygen partial pressure and arterial oxygen content on the results of radiation therapy in lung squamous cell cancer]

It is believed that anemia is an important prognostic factor in the case of cancer patients treated by radiation therapy. One possible explanation for this is tumor oxygenation. With respect to tumor oxygenation, the arterial oxygen content (CaO2) may be more direct indicator than hemoglobin (Hb) level. Fourty-two patients with squamous cell lung cancer treated solely by irradiation were reviewed. It was found that CaO2 was more important than the Hb level in determining a tumor response to radiation therapy. This is considered as important indirect evidence of the existence of hypoxic fractions of cells in human tumors.