If you have discovered a lump or swelling under your skin, your doctor may recommend a fine needle aspiration to help diagnose the issue. This minimally invasive biopsy procedure can provide valuable information about the abnormal tissue, helping to rule out or confirm conditions such as cancer.
Fine needle aspiration is a type of biopsy that involves inserting a thin needle into an area of abnormal-appearing tissue or body fluid. The collected sample is then examined under a microscope to help make a diagnosis. This procedure is generally considered safe, with infrequent complications.
Doctors typically recommend fine needle aspiration for lumps or swellings located just under the skin, which may be discovered during a physical examination or through imaging tests such as:
CT scans
Mammograms
Ultrasounds
Fine needle aspiration is most commonly used to test for cancer in areas such as:
Breast
Thyroid gland
Lymph nodes in the neck, groin, or armpit
In some cases, doctors may also use fine needle aspiration to examine abnormal spots in the chest or abdomen during an endoscopy, which uses a flexible tube with a light and camera attached.
Preparation for fine needle aspiration may vary depending on your specific situation. Your doctor may ask you to:
Stop taking aspirin or other blood thinners several days before the test
Avoid eating or drinking for several hours before the procedure
Arrange for someone to drive you home if you will be receiving sedating medication
For fine needle aspirations performed through the skin, the procedure typically involves:
Cleaning the skin over the area with an antiseptic solution and covering it with sterile drapes or towels
Injecting a numbing medication under the skin (if needed)
Using ultrasound to help locate the correct area for aspiration
Inserting a thin needle attached to a syringe into the abnormal area to collect a sample of body fluid or tissue
The procedure itself usually takes less than 10 minutes. For fine needle aspirations performed during endoscopy, patients typically receive sedating medications, and the process may take up to an hour.
After the procedure, you may experience some swelling, soreness, or pain at the biopsy site. Over-the-counter pain medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol) can help alleviate discomfort. Final results of the biopsy may take up to a week or longer, although preliminary results may be available sooner.
Serious complications from fine needle aspiration are rare. Minor bleeding under the skin at the biopsy site can occur, resulting in a tender, swollen area called a hematoma. Infection at the biopsy site is also rare due to the use of sterile techniques and equipment. The risk of complications is slightly higher for fine needle aspirations performed during endoscopy but still quite low for most people.
If you have any concerns or questions about fine needle aspiration, be sure to discuss them with your healthcare provider. They can provide more detailed information tailored to your specific situation and help you understand the potential benefits and risks of the procedure.
For more information on fine needle aspiration and other biopsy procedures, visit:
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