In vivo nutrient uptake by head and neck cancers.

The arteriovenous uptake differences for glucose, lactate, pyruvate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate were measured in vessels across squamous cell carcinomas in ten selected patients with tumors of the head and neck. All tumors measured took up glucose, pyruvate, beta-hydroxybutyrate, and acetoacetate. They could either produce, take up, or maintain a constant level of lactate. These tumors demonstrate a heterogeneous affinity for various metabolites, including ketone bodies which are elevated in the nutritionally depleted, tumor-burdened patient.