One stop breast clinic: Surgeon, Radiologist and Pathologist working together

Breast diagnosis has evolved in recent years. We have observed significantadvances such as digital mammography, the use of guided biopsy andpathological evaluation of tissue. The process of assessment of breast symptoms(breast lump; breast pain) from initial referral by family physicians to specialistsup to the point of diagnosis and eventual treatment needs to be efficient andstreamlined.The diagnostic evaluation of patients with breast symptoms is based on thetriple assessment including clinical examination, imaging and biopsy(ultrasound guided and/or stereotactic). The triple assessments have to beperformed as close to each other and ideally in the same clinic (one stop clinic).One stop clinics can be surgeon or radiologist led. This will allow an adequatediagnostic evaluation in the majority of the patients in the shortest period oftime.A diagnostic multidisciplinary team will discuss and conclude on the findingswhich will then be communicated to the patient. The aim is to have apreoperative pathological diagnosis of breast cancer for all patients that willeventually have an operation.In this presentation, the set up of a one-stop clinic as well as the algorithms forreferral, assessment and diagnosis will be discussed.