Fine Needle Aspiration

Fine needle aspiration is the less invasive biopsy technology used by doctors to make the determination of cancer less rigorous and tedious for patients. Diagnosing cancer cells is actually a very long process, but FNA makes it easier.

What is fine needle aspiration?

Fine needle aspiration (FNA) refers to the process of cell collection for further testing. It is a type of biopsy. Though MRIs and X-rays can determine any suspicious spots in the body, they can never tell if you have cancer cells or not. FNA biopsy can identify cancerous cells in a less invasive way than surgical biopsy. In some cases an ultrasound may be needed to help guide the needle.

Where is FNA used?

Fine Needle Aspiration is used to collect cell samples from the mouth, neck, lymph nodes, respiratory tract, breast, liver, as well as the thyroid.

What is the process?

FNA does not take a very long time to do. The doctor simply inserts a very thin and hollow needle into the suspected area, which is usually a lump, to collect cells. Sometimes the doctor may decide to obtain a sample of the fluid too for a more conclusive result.

Anesthetic is not necessary because the needle used for fine needle aspiration biopsy is so thin. The anesthetic may hurt as much or more than the fna. Patients can request a topical anesthetic preparation, which prolongs the procedure by about 10 to 20 minutes.

How does it differ from an open biopsy?

They differ in two ways: the biopsy needles used, and of course, the process. In FNA, you use very thin biopsy needles to draw samples, so the process is less invasive. In fact, the fine needle aspiration procedure may be conducted in a clinic or a doctors office. Fine needle aspiration biopsy has become the method of choice for obtaining tissue samples of thyroid lumps and other biopsies, even more than core needle which is a thicker, more painful needle. Statistically with this procedure, a positive finding such as cancer will be missed in fewer than five percent of the procedures performed.

The open biopsy, on the other hand, has to be performed in a more comprehensive health care facility. It is a surgical process that requires anesthesia, whether local or general. Open biopsy is about five times as expensive as needle biopsy. Open biopsies are no more accurate, and they often leave scars that can impede further operations if needed if cancer is found. There is also more chance of infection from such invasive biopsies.

Where do doctors obtain biopsy needles for FNA?
You need to buy biopsy needles for fine needle aspiration from trusted sellers. This is especially necessary if you have decided to purchase them online.