A model-free approach for imaging tumor hypoxia from DCE-MRI data

Non-invasive imaging biomarkers that abeb angiogenic response and tumor microvascular environment at an early stage of therapy could provide useful insights into therapy planning. Tibue hypoxia is related to the insufficient supply of oxygen and is abociated with tumor vasculature and perfusion. Thus, knowledge of the hypoxic areas could be of great importance. There is no golden standard for imaging tumor hypoxia yet, however Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DCE-MRI) is among the most promising non-invasive clinically relevant imaging modalities. In this work, DCE-MRI data from neck sarcoma are analyzed through a pattern recognition technique which results in the separation of the tumor area into well-perfused, hypoxic and necrotic regions.