What is Triple Assessment in Cancer Breast?

Image via Wikipedia Left(Normal) Right (Cancer)

After self assessment of breast for;
•    Suspicious nodules and/or hardness inside.
•    Fixity of the mass to skin or deeper structures.
•    Retraction of nipple.
•    Puckering of skin.
•    Orange skin like surface appearance of breast skin.
•    Abnormal discharge from nipple.
•    Lymph nodes in axilla;
a woman should subject herself for examination by a doctor, if finds something suspicious.
Doctor will examine the patient;
1.    Clinically to assess the findings of the self examination.
2.    Subject the lady to Imaging;
•    Mammography.
•    Ultrasonogram of breast in select cases.
•    MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), in select cases.
•    MBI (Molecular Breast Imaging), if available; not widely available at present, a type of computer aided mammography delivering less radiation than traditional mammography.
3.    Cellular or tissue diagnosis, by;
•    FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology), where a small amount of tissue is syringed out by a 22/23G needle for examination under microscope.
•    Core-cut needle biopsy, I some cases for cellular examination.
•    Sometimes sentinel node biopsy.
either to confirm or dismiss the suspicion of caner breast. The above three types of assessment are called, “Triple Assessment” for breast cancer.
  
   

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