The Triple Tests (physical examination, mammography, aspiration cytology) can be used to evaluate many women with a palpable breast mass. This can help guide the diagnostic process and can reduce the number of incisional biopsies required.
Triple tests:
(1) physical examination
(2) mammography
(3) fine needle aspiration (FNA)
|
Test |
Finding |
Points |
|
physical examination |
benign |
1 |
|
|
suspicious |
2 |
|
|
malignant |
3 |
|
mammography |
benign |
1 |
|
|
suspicious |
2 |
|
|
malignant |
3 |
|
fine needle aspiration |
benign |
1 |
|
|
suspicious |
2 |
|
|
malignant |
3 |
triple test score =
= SUM(points for all 3 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 3
• maximum score: 9
• The higher the score, the more likely the lesion is malignant.
|
Triple Test Score |
Interpretation (Morris et al) |
|
3 or 4 |
benign |
|
5 |
indeterminate; biopsy lesion |
|
6 to 9 |
malignant |
Limitations:
• The quality of the FNA sample definitely would affect the effectiveness of the method. Some practitioners have a lot more difficulty obtaining a good sample than others.
• The presence of 1 suspicious and 2 benign findings (score = 4) may be problematic, since some physicians or patients may dislike the uncertainty or fear litigation. Other factors (availability for followup, compliance, patient preference) may affect the decision on whether or not to do a biopsy.
Specialty: Hematology Oncology, Surgery, general, Obstetrics & Gynecology
ICD-10: ,
