Real-Time Differentiation Between Benign and Malignant Breast Tumors and Other Tissues Using Dielectric Properties

Area of Science:

• Biophysics
• Medical Imaging
• Oncology

Background:

• Investigating dielectric property differences between benign and malignant breast tissues.
• Analyzing normal vs. tumor-bearing skin and lymph node tissues.
• Exploring real-time intraoperative tissue identification methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To differentiate benign and malignant breast nodules ex vivo.
• To differentiate normal and tumor-bearing skin in vivo.
• To differentiate normal and cancerous metastatic lymph nodes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized an open-ended coaxial radio frequency wave device (10 MHz to 4 GHz).
• Analyzed breast tumor/lymph node tissues from 97 patients and 20 nude mice.
• Examined breast nodules (cancers, adenoses, fibroadenomas, fibrocystic lesions, normal tissue) and lymph nodes.

Main Results:

• Significant dielectric property differences observed between benign/malignant breast nodules (P<0.05).
• Significant differences noted between normal/metastatic lymph nodes and normal/tumor-bearing skin (P<0.05).
• Distinct dielectric properties identified across various frequencies for different tissue types in both ex vivo and in vivo models.

Conclusions:

• Dielectric properties can differentiate between benign and malignant breast tissues and lymph nodes.
• This method shows potential for supplementary intraoperative examinations.
• Offers a pathway for real-time detection and differentiation of cancerous tissues during surgery.