Solid tumours differ from normal tissue in a number
of important ways. Rapid growth and metabolism of
tumours often leads to altered physiology including
changes in vasculature and perfusion which can in
turn induce fluctuations in the supply of nutrients
such as oxygen. Reduced tissue oxygenation, known as
hypoxia, has been linked to radio- and
chemotherapeutic resistance and is often associated
with a poor prognosis for disease-free survival in
cancer patients.

Identification of tumour hypoxia by using
non-invasive imaging techniques such as positron
emission tomography (PET) is vital for...