The triple assessment in the pre-operative evaluation of patients with breast cancer in Mulago Hospital, Kampala – Uganda

Abstract

Background: Triple assessment has been recommended in diagnosis of Breast cancer in Uganda. This review analyses its diagnostic value in patients presenting with clinically malignant breast lumps.

Objective: To establish the validity and reliability of the triple assessment in the pre-operative evaluation of patients with breast cancer in Mulago Hospital.

Methods: A total of 200 patients suspected to have breast cancer were evaluated. All patients underwent clinical evaluation, mammography and fine needle aspiration cytology. Histology was done to confirm the diagnosis.

Results: A total of 200 patients were studied. The age ranged from 19 to 88 years. Sixty-six patients had benign lesions. There were 134 were breast cancer cases. With triple assessment, 84 patients were diagnostic for malignancy and 30 benign, respectively confirmed by histology. The Sensitivity, Specificity, Positive Predictive Value, Negative Predictive Value and Accuracy were respectively 100.0%. Error was 0.0%. The Kappa statistic for the combination was 1.0.

Conclusions and Recommendations: The triple assessment is valid and reliable. Breast masses can be diagnosed with a high degree of accuracy by the triple assessment. Diagnostic open biopsy is mandated if the triple assessment results show a lack of concordance.