Dielectric and FT-Raman spectroscopic approach to molecular identification of breast tumor tissues

FT-Raman spectra and dielectric properties of benign and malignant women breast tissues in vitro were investigated. FT-Raman spectra for the malignant tissues showed a remarkably decrease in the lipid/protein ratio. Dielectric properties of women breast tissues measured in the low frequency range (42–106 Hz) were interpreted in spite of electrode polarization effect. Experimental results showed a contrast between the dielectric properties of malignant (Grade II) and benign tissues within the frequency range studied. The permittivity of malignant to normal breast tissue was found to be 160:1 while it could be 1.3:1 for fibrocystic breast tissues. These findings could contribute to distinguish between two breast tissues. The differences in spectral features between benign and malignant tissues may lead to breast cancer detection.

Graphical abstractThe frequency dependence of dielectric loss tangent (tanδ) of N, F, ILC and IDC breast tissues of grade 2, measured at room temperature.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide