Quantification of effects of cancer on elastic properties of breast tissue by Atomic Force Microscopy

Three categories were defined as (E<3000 Pa, 30007000 Pa) among which data were allocated. The first cluster was assumed as the cellular region while the last cluster was referred to the fibrous parts of the tissue. The intermediate region was due to other non-cellular parts. Results indicated 50% decline of average Young׳s modulus of cellular region of cancerous tissues compared to healthy tissues. The average Young׳s modulus of non-cellular area of normal tissues was slightly lower than that of cancerous tissues, although the difference was not statistically different. Through clustering, the measured Young׳s moduli of different locations of cancerous tissues, a quantified approach was developed to analyze changes in elastic modulus of a spectrum of components of breast tissue which can be applied in diagnostic mechanisms of cancer development, since in cancer progression the softening cell body facilitates the migration of cancerous cells through the original tumor and endothelial junctions.