Image-based computational modeling of the FDG tracer in a solid tumor with a consideration of capillaries network

In a computational modeling of drug delivery and PET tracers to cancer tissues, the most difficult part is a consideration of a complexity of capillaries network. Because of the key role of blood flow in tumor feeding and growth that also carrying radiotracer into both normal and cancerous tissues, there are various studies have been done on the formation of new blood vessels and blood flow around a tumor. In this work, we used an image of a complex capillaries network to simulate FGD tracer distribution within both normal and cancerous tissues. Firstly, one RGB image was imported as an input image which consisted of the capillaries network and has been processed and made ready for creating 2D geometry from it. The creation of 2D geometry from the input image is consisted two areas: Pre-processing and Post-Processing the input image for preparation of it for the creation geometry by capturing the capillaries from a background of whole of the picture. In the next stage, with a usage of the achieved geometry and by coupling blood flow and interstitial flow, pressure and velocity distribution in the capillaries and both tumor and normal tissues were accomplished. Finally, by applying CDR (Convection-Diffusion-Reaction) equations for FDG tracer, distribution of it was acquired within the whole normal and cancerous domain. Observing FDG tracer CDR modeling helped us find tracer distribution with both time and space.