The fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytology findings in 19 cases of primary neoplasia of the pancreas are reported. The aspirates were obtained under ultrasound guidance in 16 cases and under direct vision intraoperatively in three cases. These cases represented 79% of 24 diagnoses in a series of 30 pancreatic FNAs. Of these 30 cases no cytologic diagnoses were made in six cases (20%) because of insufficient or inadequate samples The cytologic diagnoses were confirmed by histologic examination following resection or biopsy of the tumors. The diagnoses included 9 duct ceil adenocarcinomas, 1 mucinous adenocarcinoma, 2 mucinous cystadenocarcinomas, 1 acinar cell carcinoma, 1 papillary cystic tumor 3 islet ceil tumors, 1 neuroendocrine carcinoma and 1 leiomyosarcoma. The cytologic features of the neoplasia were detailed and the differential diagnosis was discussed. The important criteria for the cytodiagnosis of pancreatic tumors were reviewed. This review leads us to think that nonoperative (percutaneous) cytologic approaches to the diagnosis of pancreatic tumor are advantageous for the management of patients, and that correct cytologic diagnosis with pancreatic FNAs can easily be made, if adequate samples are obtained.