Characterization of Rectal Cancer Hypoxia Using pO2 Histography and Immunohistochemistry for Hypoxia-Related Proteins

Inclusion Criteria

• •Biopsy proven adenocarcinoma of the rectum. If a biopsy was taken at an outside hospital, the slides and diagnosis will be reviewed and confirmed by a pathologist at MSKCC.
• •Mid to distal rectal tumors not requiring pre-op radiation or chemotherapy
• •Age ≥ 18
• •Age \< 90
• •Karnofsky performance status ≥ 60
• •Ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.