A Study to Evaluate the Relevance and Validity of Triple Assessment in Diagnosing Carcinoma Breast.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths. Breast cancer survival is strongly determined based on the stage of the cancer after diagnosis. This demonstrates the benefits of early detection of breast cancer in keeping survival rates of patients higher. Triple Test that comprises clinical examination, radiological assessment (USG/Mammography) and FNAC is considered as the gold standard in diagnosing carcinoma breast. This study aimed at diagnosing carcinoma breast in patients with the help of triple assessment and studying its relevance and validity.METHODSWomen who presented with a lump in breast to surgery OPD in the department of general surgery, NMCH, Patna were included in the study. This is a prospective study undertaken from December 2017 to November 2019. After taking informed consent from the study participants, they were thoroughly examined, and detailed history was taken. Subsequently, they were subjected to other components of triple test, so that a definitive diagnosis could be formed. Cases of breast abscess and those with fungating or ulcerative mass were excluded from the study.RESULTSClinical examination had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 86.66%. FNAC had a sensitivity of 95% and specificity of 96.66%. Radiological assessment when used alone, yielded a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 96.66%. The sensitivity and specificity of all the modalities used in triple assessment when combined together was 100% and 96.66% respectively. The positive predictive value was 95.23% and negative predictive value was 100%. The p value was highly significant (<0.0001).CONCLUSIONSTriple assessment is an important diagnostic tool in the assessment of carcinoma breast and is better than either of the modalities used alone.