Fine-needle aspiration cytology of tubular carcinoma of the breast in a young woman.

The fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) findings in a case of rare tubular carcinoma of the breast in a young woman are presented. The rarity of occurrence of tubular carcinoma in the breast and the bland and mostly orderly appearance of cells in the FNAC sample, as in tissue, were considered to cause the difficulty in the diagnosis of this tumor; also, these were features also found in other conditions of the breast. Furthermore, cytologists have limited experience with the diagnosis of this neoplasm from FNAC samples. It is therefore felt that (1) a cautious attitude is necessary when commenting on FNAC samples until more specific criteria are forthcoming for the diagnosis of this neoplasm; and (2) if cellular atypias are seen in FNAC samples, these should be reported with a recommendation for removal of the breast lump and a detailed tissue examination.