Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Procedure

Patient Guide Series

Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) Procedure

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What is 'Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy'?

After care advice:

A fine needle aspiration biopsy is a simple procedure that involves passing a fine needle through the skin to sample fluid or tissue from a cyst or a solid mass.

1 If possible arrange for someone to accompany you after the procedure.

Who will be performing the procedure?

A doctor will place the needle into the abnormal tissue to perform the FNA. This will take place in special procedure room within Pathology Department.

What happens during the fine needle aspiration biopsy?

2 You may remove the bandage after 30minutes.

3 Please contact your physician if: · There is unusual redness, swelling or bleeding at the biopsy site. · Your temperature is 38° C (100.4F) or greater. · You experience pain that is not relieved with paracetamol.

What are the risks and complications?

A doctor will explain the procedure to you before commencing the biopsy. The doctor will clean the skin with antiseptic to help avoid infection. The doctor will examine the lump and determine the best position to place the needle.

There are generally no significant complications with this procedure, though you may experience some tenderness or bruising over the needle insertion site.

Rarely the tissue obtained may not be enough for the Pathologist to make a definite diagnosis. In these cases it may be necessary to repeat the procedure.

How long will it take?

Finally:

Every patient's situation is different, and it is not always easy to predict how difficult the procedure will be. The procedure may take up to 30 minutes.

We hope that you have found this booklet useful. If you have any questions regarding procedure, please contact your doctor or the pathology department.

Will it hurt?

Minor discomfort may be experienced.

What happens afterwards?

It will take few days to do the necessary tests on the specimen before the final report is issued.