Publication:

Accuracy of triple assessment as a clinical tool in detection of carcinoma breast

Background One of the commonest clinical presentation of breast diseases is a lump. A definite diagnosis of any breast lump is very important to decide the course of treatment. The study evaluated that how effectively “triple assessment” helps in diagnosing carcinoma breast.

Methods The present study is a diagnostic study which was conducted on 50 patients. Each patient underwent a detailed history, CBE, mammography and FNAC. In this study the results of each examination were divided into three groups: benign, suspicious and malignant. The final result was compared with the HPE findings and diagnostic accuracy of triple assessment was assessed.

Results Total 86% of cases were found to be malignant on triple assessment and 14% cases were found out to be malignant later on histopathology. Among the malignant lesions, infiltrating ductal carcinoma had the lead 96%, followed by lobular carcinoma 1 case. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV for clinical breast examination was 97%, 100%, 66%, 100%. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for imaging was 88.89%, 100%, 100%, 88.46%. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV for FNAC was found to be 87.76%, 100%, 100%.

Conclusions The TT was concordant in 43 cases (86%). Sensitivity of triple assessment was 95%, specificity was 100% and negative predictive value to be 100%. The TT was concordant in 43 cases (86%). In rest of the 7 lesion which were non-concordant 6 were suspicious of malignancy and 1 was probably benign entity which were later on proven to be malignant lesions by histopathology. Sensitivity of triple assessment was 95%, specificity was 100% and negative predictive value to be 100%.