Palpable breast tumours: "triple diagnosis" and operative strategy. Results of a prospective study.
A prospective study of 292 consecutive patients with 303 tumours was performed to appraise the combination of physical examination, mammography and fine-needle puncture (triple test) in the diagnosis of breast tumours. The diagnostic accuracy of the triple test was 100%. Because of its relative smallness, however, the series does not permit the conclusion that a benign result of triple test makes excisional biopsy unnecessary. It is emphasized that a follow-up regimen with participation of radiologists and cytologists is required. Fine-needle puncture with cytologic examination of the aspirate is recommended as a routine procedure in the diagnosis of breast tumours.
D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D010173:Palpation; D011446:Prospective Studies