Correlation between Clinical Findings in Patients with Breast Lump and Radiological and Pathological Finding

Abstract

AbstractBackground: Although the diagnosis of breast cancer is suggested on clinical examination, the degree of suspicion is variable. Currently a combination of three tests, i.e. clinical examination, radiological imaging (mammography, ultrasonog-raphy) and pathology called as triple assessment test is used to accurately diagnose all palpable breast lumps.Aim of Study: Assessment for how much the clinical finding in patients with breast lumps correlates with radiolog-ical and pathological finding.Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on 50 female patients who presented with breast lump in the outpa-tient clinics of Al-Zahraa University Hospital. Patients with a breast lump were selected irrespective of age. A detailed history, clinical examination, mammosonographic imaging and Fine-Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) were used as diagnostic tools for screening of the patients.Results: The sensitivity of clinical examination to detect malignant breast mass was 80%, specificity was 100%, Positive Predictive Value (PPV) was 100%, Negative Predictive Value (NPV) 95.24% and with 96% accuracy. The sensitivity of mammosonography to detect malignant breast mass was 70%, specificity was 100%, positive predictive value 100%, negative predictive value was 93.02% & with 94% accuracy. The sensitivity of FNAC to detect malignant breast mass was 71.43%, specificity was 100%, positive predictive value was 100%, negative predictive value was 95.24% & with 95.24% accuracy.Conclusion: This study revealed the accuracy of clinical examination, mammosonography & FNAC in evaluating breast lump especially when applied together.