Tubular carcinoma represents a rare, well-differentiated type of breast malignancy, characterized by relatively unaggressive clinical behavior. Cytologic diagnosis of this subgroup of tumors is considered difficult as cell population usually presents in tightly cohesive clusters and shows minimal atypia. Cytomorphologic features of 15 examples of histologically proven pure tubular carcinomas of the breast are herein reported. If a constellation of morphologic criteria is critically evaluated, tubular carcinoma may be diagnosed on cytologic specimens. Aspiration biopsy cytology represents an optimal diagnostic tool in the preoperative diagnosis of breast masses. Its application to the detection of this special type of breast carcinoma permits better planning of therapeutic procedures.