The ultrasonic properties of gastric cancer tissues obtained with a scanning acoustic microscope system

A newly developed scanning acoustic microscope (SAM) system operating in the frequency range of 100-200 MHz has been employed to measure the attenuation and the sound speed of formalin-fixed specimens of five different types of gastric cancer. Signet-ring cell carcinoma specimens exhibit attenuation constant and sound speed values significantly lower than other types of gastric cancer tissues. Tubular adenocarcinoma specimens exhibit a trend toward higher attenuation and sound speed values as the cell type became differentiated. Our measurements and observations suggest that the ultrasonic properties are influenced by cellular arrangement, intercellular junction and intracellular chemical components.