Fine-Needle Aspiration

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Fine-needle aspiration is a method of collecting cells from the breast, liver, mouth, neck, lymph nodes, genitals, respiratory tract, or thyroid to look for signs of cancer, infection, or other conditions. During a fine-needle aspiration, a health professional inserts a thin needle into a suspicious lump and removes cells that are then examined under a microscope.

Author:Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Medical Review:Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Brent Shoji, MD - General Surgery
Last Updated: 05/01/2007

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