[Demonstration of blood in nipple discharges using the Hemoccult].

Evidence of blood in discharge from one breast and from one duct in an indication to operate on for most surgeons. We have used hemoccult to demonstrate the presence of blood in certain discharges. Discharge cytology was systematic and when it was possible a correlation was done with the operative specimen. 55 patients were studied. In 23 cases hemoccult was positive and there was blood on the cytological smear. In 28 cases hemoccult was negative and the cytological smear showed no blood. In the remaining 4 cases the hemoccult was positive but the cytological smear failed to show any blood. There was no false negative test. There were three breast cancers. Among this series of 55 patients and the test was positive in each case. Using slides of hemoccult to detect blood in a nipple discharge is rapid and simple can be done in the doctor's office. However, the results of the test have to be strictly correlated with other elements of the work up in particular with mammography and galatography.