Urinary Dielectric Properties for Bladder Cancer

The study investigated the urinary dielectric properties for bladder cancer in a non-invasive manner. 10 healthy subjects and 10 subjects with bladder cancer were recruited for the study. The urine samples were analyzed using urinalysis and urine cytology assessment. A vector network analyzer was used to measure the dielectric constant (Ɛ’) and loss factor (Ɛ’’) of urine at microwave frequencies between 0.2 GHz to 50 GHz at 25°C, 30°C, 37°C, respectively. Statistically significant differences in dielectric constant and loss factor were observed between healthy subjects and subjects with bladder cancer especially at frequencies between 25 GHz and 40 GHz at 25°C. Correlation was observed between urinary exfoliated urothelial cell number and the dielectric properties of subjects with bladder cancer at 25°C. Subjects with bladder cancer had statistically significant lower dielectric constant value and higher loss factor value than those of healthy subjects. The dielectric constant correlated negatively with urinary exfoliated urothelial cell number while loss factor correlated positively with urinary exfoliated urothelial cell number.