Endocrine Surgery
Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA)
Fine needle aspiration
If you have a solid thyroid lump a test called fine needle aspiration (FNA) may be carried out to exclude cancer or if cancer is suspected. It may also be used to aspirate thyroid cysts.
During a FNA, a small needle will be inserted into the lump in your neck. A small sample of cells are then sucked up into a syringe and these are then studied under a microscope. A FNA can usually reveal whether or not any cancerous cells are present in your thyroid gland and, if they are, may help determine which kind of tumour you have and therefore help plan the most appropriate surgery.
FNA is carried out during your clinic visit.
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