Test Name
FINE NEEDLE ASPIRATION (FNA) CYTOLOGY REPORTING AND PROCEDURE
Aliases
-
Abbreviations
FNA, FNAC
Test Classification
INDIVIDUAL
Department
ANATOMIC PATHOLOGY
Sub Department
CYTOLOGY
TAT Category
ELAPSED (CONTINUOUS) TIME
Estimated TAT
7
TAT Units
DAYS
Test Requirements
TEST ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS:
Fill out test request form fully & legibly. Provide clinical history. Specify the exact sample type, anatomic site, laterality (where applicable e.g. left vs right) from where the FNA should be obtained.
SAMPLE TYPES:
Variable e.g. thyroid, breast, lymph node etc. Exact anatomic site must be specified by the person doing collection.
COMPONENTS:
FNA collection / procedure (requires patient to be physically present) AND reporting (laboratory assessment).
CONTAINER/ PRESERVATIVE
Fixed smears which are labeled with patient details; glass slides should be intact (not broken). 2 slides should be air dried then methanol fixed; another 2 should be placed directly in ethanol fixative without air drying.
Clinical Utility
Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a simple, quick test where a thin needle is used to take a small sample of cells from a lump or growth in the body. It may be performed with or without image guidance. It helps:
1. Check if a lump is cancerous or not.
2. Diagnose thyroid, breast, and lymph node problems.
3. Diagnose infections.
4. Avoid unnecessary surgeries.
5. Guide further testing or treatment.
6. Assess hard-to-reach areas inside the body.
It's a useful first step in figuring out what's causing unusual growths or swellings.
Last Review
26th Feb 2026