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

BACKGROUND This study aimed to investigate the dielectric property differences between benign and malignant breast nodules ex vivo, as well as between normal and tumor-bearing skin in vivo, and between normal and cancerous metastatic lymph nodes. The goal was to explore a method for the intraoperative and rapid real-time identification of benign and malignant tissues. MATERIAL AND METHODS The breast tumor or lymph node tissues from 97 patients and 20 nude mice with subcutaneous breast cancer tumor models were analyzed using an open-ended coaxial radio frequency wave device, with frequencies ranging from 10 MHz to 4 GHz. The breast nodules examined included breast cancers, adenoses, fibroadenomas, fibrocystic lesions, and normal breast tissue located 3 cm from the cancer boundary. The lymph nodes evaluated comprised both cancerous and noncancerous metastatic lymph nodes. RESULTS Significant differences in the dielectric properties were observed between benign and malignant breast nodules (P<0.05), as well as between normal and metastatic lymph nodes and between tumor-bearing and normal skin of nude mice within specific frequency ranges (P<0.05). The study found that breast nodules (cancers, adenoses, fibroadenomas, and fibrocystic lesions) and lymph nodes exhibited distinct dielectric properties at various frequencies, a phenomenon also observed in the in vivo examination of nude mice. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that dielectric properties can be utilized not only to differentiate tissue types in isolated specimens but also to offer advantages in supplementary examinations, providing a method for the real-time detection and differentiation of benign and malignant tissues during surgery.