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

Abstract

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/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.