Quantitative tissue perfusion measurements in head and neck carcinoma patients before and during radiation therapy with a non-invasive MR imaging spin-labeling technique.

Purpose: Tumor blood flow, tumor tissue perfusion and oxygen supply have substantial influence on the responsiveness of tumors to radiotherapy. This study was aimed at implementing and evaluating a non-invasive functional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging spin-labeling technique at a main magnetic field strength of 2T for measuring tissue perfusion changes in head and neck carcinoma patients before and during radiotherapy.

Methods: Tissue perfusion was determined quantitatively in ten patients with head and neck cancer.