We present clinical results obtained with a frequency-domain (70 MHz), four-wavelength (690, 750, 788, 856 nm) prototype for optical mammography. The two-dimensional projection images are taken on the slightly compressed breast in craniocaudal and oblique projections, similar to what is done in x-ray mammography. The amplitude and phase images are combined to enhance the contrast and the tumor detectability by reducing the edge effects caused by the breast thickness variations within the

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... area. The analysis of the first set of clinical data (63 patients) has yielded encouraging results. The success rate in the detection of breast cancer was 73%, and specificity was 49%. A comparison of the optical mammograms at the four wavelengths in the range 690-856 nm suggests that spectral information may allow for the discrimination of benign and malignant breast lesions, thereby enhancing specificity. Keywords: Frequency-domain spectroscopy, near-infrared, optical mammography, breast cancer. Recent clinical trials of frequency-domain optical mammography performed with a prototype developed by the Carl Zeiss Optics Laboratories 21 have yielded promising results in terms of tumor detectability, 13,22,23 reporting a sensitivity to breast cancer higher than 70%. The clinical data reported in this contribution have been collected with a similar prototype developed at Siemens Medical Technology. 24 The purpose of the analysis of these clinical data is twofold: (1) confirm the previously reported results of sensitivity on an independent clinical data set; (2) investigate the false positive cases to obtain indications about the possible approaches to improve specificity.