Out-patient diagnosis of breast cancer

A method of diagnosis of the solid discrete breast lump using frozen section examination of a Tru-cut needle biopsy is described. In 194 patients, the Tru-cut biopsy report is compared to the histological report of the excised lesion. Overall accuracy is 90 per cent, sensitivity 89 per cent, specificity 96 per cent, predictive value of a positive report 99 per cent, and predictive value of a negative report 56 per cent. The advantage of the technique is that many patients with breast cancer can be informed of the diagnosis at their first attendance.