Optical mammography could enhance
breast cancer diagnosis

The search is on for new clinical techniques to improve the diagnostic accuracy (both sensitivity and specificity) of diagnostic imaging for suspected breast cancer. One of the most promising techniques is optical mammography. This was initially the subject of a research project within Philips Research. Philips Healthcare recently started clinical trials at several hospitals in the Netherlands.
A major factor affecting the viability of this new technique is the use of a fluorescent contrast agent from a Philips partner, the German pharmaceutical company Schering AG. This contrast agent accumulates in cancerous tissue in the breast. During the examination the breast is illuminated with laser light from all sides. Light absorbed by the contrast agent causes it to fluoresce at a different wavelength, and this emitted light is picked up by highly sensitive detectors around the breast. Using advanced reconstruction algorithms, the collected data is then reconstructed into a 3D image of the breast tissue.

Development of the optical mammography system was a true multi-disciplinary project combining extensive knowledge within Philips Applied Technologies, Philips Research and Philips Healthcare in the areas of laser optics, mechatronics, chemistry, detector electronics and software.

  


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