OBJECTIVETo investigate the differences in dielectric properties (relative permittivity and conductivity) between the mucosal surface and serosal surface of malignant colorectal tissues, adjacent tissues at 1 cm and 3 cm from the tumor focus and normal colorectal tissues.

METHODSThe dielectric properties of the mucosal and serosal surface of malignant colorectal tissues, adjacent tissues (1 cm and 3 cm) and normal colorectal tissues from 39 patients with colorectal cancer were measured with an open-ended coaxial probe within the frequency range of 50 MHz-3 GHz, and the corresponding dielectric properties were analyzed respectively; statistical tests of the data were used to analyze the dielectric properties at 6 specific frequency points.

RESULTSThe dielectric properties were significantly higher in the malignant mucosa surface than in the adjacent tissues and normal colorectal tissues at the 6 specific frequency points (P<0.01). The dielectric properties decreased progressively in adjacent tissues at 1 cm and 3 cm and normal mucosa surface. The mucosal and serosal surface of malignant tissues showed significant differences in dielectric properties at 64 MHz, 128 MHz, 298 MHz, 433 MHz, and 915 MHz (P<0.01) but not at 2450 MHz (P>0.01), but such differences were not observed in normal tissues (P>0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe dielectric properties of the mucosal surface of the mucosal decrease in the order of malignant colorectal tissue, adjacent tissues at 1 cm and 3 cm from the tumor foci and normal colorectal tissues. The dielectric properties are higher in the mucosal surface than in the serosal surface in the malignant tissue, but comparable in normal colorectal tissues.