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Glam Fame Journal

How FNAC is performed

Author

Isabella Ramos

Updated on April 19, 2026

A thin needle attached to a syringe will be inserted through the skin into the abnormal area. A vacuum inside the syringe causes body fluid or tissue to be suctioned (aspirated) into the needle and syringe. The fine needle aspiration itself is usually a short procedure (less than 10 minutes).

Is FNAC test painful?

FNAC is generally well-tolerated procedure with most patients experiencing either mild pain or no pain during the procedure. No patients experienced severe pain. There was no difference in VAS scores between lymph node biopsy and salivary gland biopsy.

How do I prepare for FNAC?

  1. No aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) for one week before the procedure.
  2. No food a few hours before the procedure.
  3. Routine blood tests (including clotting profile) must be completed two weeks before the biopsy.
  4. Suspension of anticoagulants (blood thinners)

What is FNAC technique?

Background: Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is a simple, quick and inexpensive method that is used to sample superficial masses like those found in the neck and is usually performed in the outpatient clinic. It causes minimal trauma to the patient and carries virtually no risk of complications.

Is a fine needle aspiration painful?

It is non-invasive and only slightly uncomfortable, compared to a surgical biopsy which requires a general anaesthetic, involves pain and the possibility of infection or scarring. Fine needle aspiration biopsies do require some expertise to perform and interpret.

What if FNAC test is negative?

When FNAC shows a positive finding, treatment should be given accordingly as FNAC has a high PPV. However, when FNAC shows a negative result, malignancy cannot be reliably ruled out since the NPV of FNAC is low (37%). PET/CT is then performed in these patients.

Is FNAC done empty stomach?

No preparation is necessary to carry out a FNAC. It should not be done on an empty stomach. After the examination, patients may resume their normal activities.

Can FNAC test wrong?

FNAC achieved a sensitivity of 92.8, a specificity of 94.2%, a positive predictive value of 94.9%, a negative predictive value of 91.8%, a false positive rate of 7.2%, a false negative rate of 5.8%, and a total accuracy of 93.6%.

Which needle is used for FNAC?

Concerning the needle size for thyroid fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC), 25-27-gauge needles are generally used in Western countries. However, in Japan, the use of larger needles (21-22-gauge needles) is common.

How many methods of FNAC are there?

For the spreading, there are two methods that are widely used and recommended for different types of material. The “one-step method” is preferred for scant and dense material, like the one taken from the majority of breast solid masses. The “two-step method” is used mostly for liquid and hemorrhagic material.

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Is anesthesia given during FNAC?

During the FNA, patients are awake and alert. Local anesthesia is used to numb the area into which the needle is inserted.

What is the cost of FNAC test?

CityAverage PriceStarting PriceDelhiRs. 1038.00Rs. 400.00NoidaRs. 1790.00Rs. 650.00PuneRs. 852.00Rs. 450.00SecunderabadRs. 1255.00Rs. 650.00

Why FNAC test is done?

When a lump, or a bump is discovered in superficial areas of the body such as the breast and neck, a test known as Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is recommended to determine whether the lump is cancer. This procedure is also used to test for thyroid, salivary glands and lymph nodes illnesses.

What is the difference between aspiration and biopsy?

Bone marrow aspiration is a procedure that takes out a small amount of bone marrow fluid through a needle. Bone marrow biopsy uses a needle to take out a small amount of bone with the marrow inside it. These samples are then checked under a microscope.

How long wait biopsy results?

A result can often be given within 2 to 3 days after the biopsy. A result that requires a more complicated analysis can take 7 to 10 days. Ask your doctor how you will receive the biopsy results and who will explain them to you.

What kind of doctor does a fine needle aspiration?

Image-guided, minimally invasive procedures such as fine needle aspiration of the thyroid are most often performed by a specially trained radiologist with experience in needle aspiration and ultrasound.

Are needle biopsies painful?

You may experience mild discomfort during your needle biopsy, such as a sensation of pressure in the area. Tell your health care team if you’re feeling uncomfortable.

Can FNAC detect TB?

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) provides an inexpensive, quick and safe alternative to histopathology for the diagnosis of tuberculosis. It’s a patient friendly technique and provides a good assessment of cytomorphological features.

What happens after fine needle aspiration?

After most fine needle aspiration biopsy procedures, you can drive yourself home and go back to your normal activities right away. Sometimes, the biopsy site may feel sore. In rare cases, infection or bleeding can occur.

What are the signs that you have a cancerous lymph node?

  • Lump(s) under the skin, such as in the neck, under the arm, or in the groin.
  • Fever (may come and go over several weeks) without an infection.
  • Drenching night sweats.
  • Weight loss without trying.
  • Itching skin.
  • Feeling tired.
  • Loss of appetite.

Is FNAC accurate?

This study found that FNAC is a reliable diagnostic method for small breast lesions (≤1.0 cm), with a specificity of 99.6%; sensitivity, 97.4%; PPV, 99.6%; NPV, 97.6%; and accuracy, 98.5%.

Can FNAC detect lymphoma?

Although histopathological examination is considered to be gold standard in diagnosis especially in lymphomas, FNAC maybe the only tool for diagnosis and further management of the patients in some cases of metastatic malignancy.

How USG guided FNAC is done?

Ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration USG guided FNAC is a diagnostic procedure. This procedure involves inserting a small needle into a suspicious mass and extracting some cells. These cells are then visualized under the microscope.

How do you fix a FNAC slide?

Immediately fix one slide in 95% ETOH (ethanol; the green-top slide holder). Allow the other slide to air-dry. Return to the syringe and needle and gently flush the needle in the solution 2 – 3 times. Then, place the needle in an appropriate sharps disposal container.

How big is FNA?

FNA needle biopsy of thyroid nodules is generally done on any thyroid nodules that is big enough to be felt. This means that they are larger than about 1 centimeter (about 1/2 inch) across. FNA biopsy is indicated on any thyroid nodule that causes symptoms.

What are the advantages of FNAC?

The main advantages of FNAC are minimal invasiveness, reduced cost, pathological assessment of small lesions, which are not amenable to CNB. Moreover, it allows same day diagnosis of breast cancer and the identification and management, on the same day, of those patients with benign disease.

How long does it take for FNAC report?

With FNA, a sample of the lump is obtained using a small, thin needle. The test often allows doctors to make a diagnosis within two to three days of the test.

How long is FNAC test?

The FNAC test procedure normally takes around 15 to 20 minutes.

Can you drive after breast biopsy?

If you have a sedative or general anesthesia, make sure you have someone drive you home afterward. You will not be able to drive after the biopsy. Your healthcare provider may have other instructions for you based on your medical condition.

Why is a second biopsy needed?

If the biopsy sample is not sufficient to accurately interpret the findings for a precise diagnosis, it will need to be repeated. This leads to uncertainty and anxiety for the patient and can delay proper treatment,” says Dr.

Why is my breast hard after biopsy?

Sometimes a lump can form if an area of the fatty breast tissue is damaged. This is called fat necrosis (necrosis is a medical term used to describe damaged or dead tissue). Damage to the fatty tissue can occur following a breast biopsy, radiotherapy to the breast or any breast surgery, including: breast reconstruction.