Tumor vasculature is the main source for oxygen and nutrient supply into the tumor tissue as well as the first route for tumor proliferation and metastasis formation. Therefore, it is of great interest to obtain non-invasive and high-resolution images of the entire tumor vascular network, not only to diagnose and characterize tumors but also to monitor treatment outcomes. In this context, the new imaging modality RSOM (raster-scanning optoacoustic mesoscopy) can highly improve the way we monitor and evaluate tumor vascularization by using the endogenous contrast of hemoglobin.
