[Intraoperative rapid cytological assessment of mammary tumors (author's transl)].

A quick staining technique is reported which permits a full cytological statement on the seriousness of mammary tumors within 2 minutes intraoperatively. The accuracy of the method is comparable to that of histological examination. Between 1971 and 1974 a cytological rapid examination was carried out for the assessment of the seriousness of a total of 409 mammary tumors intraoperatively. 71 (equals 17.5 per cent) of the 409 tumors were carcinomas. In 70 of the carcinomas, the severity was confirmed histologically. The method can also be performed in small hospitals which have no pathology laboratory available.