DYNAMIC SCALING IN THE DIELECTRIC RESPONSE OF EXCISED EMT-6 TUMORS UNDERGOING HYPERTHERMIA

A constant-phase-angle response (CPA) has been identified in the diele ctric spectrum of EMT-6 tissues undergoing hyperthermia. A dynamic sca ling relationship between the static permittivity and conductivity usi ng the CPA frequency exponent n has been shown to occur during the des tructive phase of hyperthermia. This behaviour has been attributed to the self-similar structure of the internal membrane compartments of th e cells and described by means of a hierarchical circuit model. In thi s way the CPA exponent has been related to the convolution of internal membrane surfaces lying in between the mitochondria and the outer cel l wall. The dynamic scaling is assigned to the progressive destruction of cell membranes in sequence from the outside inwards.