The Triple Assessment

Question 1

what is the triple assessment?

Answer 1

hospital-based assessment clinic that allows for early and rapid detection of breast cancer

Question 2

what are the 3 components of the triple assessment?

Answer 2

physical examination
imaging (mammography and/or ultrasound)
biopsy (FNAC and core biopsy)

Question 3

describe the 1-5 scoring system for examination, imaging and histology

Answer 3

1 - normal 
2 - benign 
3 - uncertain/likely benign 
4 - suspicion of malignancy 
5 - malignant

Question 4

what is mammography, what views are used and what is being looked for?

Answer 4

compression views
oblique and craniocaudal
mass lesions or microcalcifications

Question 5

why is USS more useful in women >35 and men

Answer 5

due to density of breast tissue at identifying anomalies

Question 6

role of MRI in breast cancer treatment

Answer 6

no used in triple assessment
useful for assessing lobular breast cancers - assessing response to neoadjuvunt therapy
high sensitivity, low specificity