FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) – Procedure & Reporting

FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) – Procedure & Reporting

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) is a minimally invasive diagnostic test used to examine abnormal lumps or masses in the body. It is commonly performed on the thyroid, breast, lymph nodes, salivary glands, and soft tissue lesions to detect infection, inflammation, benign conditions, or cancer.

1. Why is FNAC Done?

FNAC is recommended for:
✅ Lumps or swellings in the neck, breast, or any other body part
✅ Enlarged lymph nodes (suspected infections or lymphoma)
✅ Thyroid nodules (to rule out thyroid cancer)
✅ Salivary gland masses (to detect tumors)
✅ Soft tissue swellings (for diagnosing benign vs. malignant tumors)

2. FNAC Procedure

🔹 Preparation:

• No special preparation needed

• No fasting required

🔹 Procedure Steps:
1️⃣ The area is cleaned and sterilized
2️⃣ A thin, hollow needle (22-25G) is inserted into the lump/mass
3️⃣ Cells are aspirated (suctioned) into the syringe
4️⃣ The sample is placed on glass slides and stained
5️⃣ A pathologist examines the cells under a microscope
6️⃣ The report is prepared, typically within 24-48 hours

🔹 Is FNAC Painful?

• It may cause mild discomfort but is generally painless

• A local anesthetic may be used for sensitive areas

3. FNAC Reporting – How the Results Are Interpreted

The FNAC report categorizes findings into benign, suspicious, or malignant:

4. Advantages of FNAC

✅ Quick and simple – Takes only 10-15 minutes
✅ Minimally invasive – No surgery required
✅ Accurate – Helps in early diagnosis of cancer
✅ Safe – Low risk of complications

5. Next Steps Based on FNAC Report

📌 Benign Result → No further action or follow-up if symptoms resolve
📌 Inconclusive/Atypical Result → May need repeat FNAC or biopsy
📌 Malignant Result → Further tests like core biopsy, imaging, or surgery

Is FNAC Safe?

✅ Yes, it is completely safe
✅ Minimal risk of infection or bleeding