ABSTRACT
To determine the efficacy of triple assessment in diagnosis of malignant breast lumps in female patients taking core biopsy as a gold standard. Breast Clinic, Unit-III, Department of Surgery, Nishtar Hospital, Multan. October 2007 to March 2008. A total 0f 100 patients of breast lump, above the age of 14 years, having palpable lump of any size in breast were selected according to inclusion criteria. Out of 100 patients included in the study most of the patients were in the age group 45-54 years i.e. 46 [46%] followed by 32 [32%] in the age group 35-44 years. According to occupation 67 [67%] were house wives, 13 [13%] were teachers and 5 [5%] were nurses. In 48 [48%] patients the lump size was 2 cm, 35 [35%] patients had lump size from, 2-4 cm while in 17 [17%] patients lump size was > 4 cm. Presenting symptoms like lump was present in 50 [50%] patients, pain alone 25[25%] patients, discharge in 20 [20%] patients and discharge with pain in 5 [5%]. Lymph node status like grade-0 was seen in 60 [60%] patients, grade-1 in 21 [21%] patients, grade-2 in 15 [15%] patients and grade-3 in 4 [4%] patients. Triple assessment is a valuable tool for an accurate non surgical diagnosis of breast lump, allows assessment of breast cancer patient for conservative and neo-adjuvant primary treatment before surgical treatment