What is it?

A fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a minimally-invasive exam by which some cells are taken in order to accurately verify what kind of thyroid nodule you have. FNA is different from a biopsy - in a biopsy a whole sample of tissue is taken, not just a few cells.

What does it involve?

A FNA can be done at your local outpatient clinic – there is no need for any anaesthetic. The exam consists in taking some cells from your thyroid with a very fine needle. The only risk deriving from this procedure is that you may have a small haematoma on the area where the needle was inserted. However, this can be prevented by applying ice before the exam. 

What is it for?

This procedure aims at identifying which kind of thyroid nodule you have. It is mainly done in the case of:

• lumps that can be felt and which appear to keep on growing
• lumps under 10 millimetres, whose nature is not clear - any lump showing irregular margins, micro-calcification, or vascularisation
• people who have several nodules and who are at high risk due to a family history of thyroid diseases, such as hereditary papillary thyroid carcinoma or hereditary medullary thyroid cancer (MTC)

What does it feel like during the procedure?

The only thing you will feel is a slight discomfort due to needle, just like the pinch you would feel during a normal blood test. In any case, the discomfort will be gone as soon as the procedure is finished.

What are the benefits?

• Minimally invasive: FNA is a minimally invasive procedure that typically requires only a small or no incision. This reduces the risk of infection, scarring, and post-operative pain compared to more invasive surgical procedures.
• Rapid results: FNA provides relatively quick results, often within hours or days, which can expedite the diagnostic process. This is particularly important in cases where a rapid diagnosis is necessary for treatment decisions.
• Accurate diagnosis: FNA can provide highly accurate diagnostic information, helping healthcare professionals determine the nature of a mass, lump, or lesion. It can differentiate between benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) conditions.
• Targeted sampling: FNA allows for precise sampling of a specific area or lesion of interest, which can be especially useful when dealing with small or deep-seated abnormalities. This helps avoid unnecessary tissue removal.
• Reduced complications: Because FNA is a minimally invasive procedure, it generally carries a lower risk of complications compared to more invasive surgeries. Patients typically experience less pain, bleeding, and a shorter recovery time.
• Outpatient procedure: FNA is often performed on an outpatient basis, meaning patients can usually go home the same day as the procedure. This reduces hospital stays and associated costs.
• Repeatable: FNA can be repeated if necessary, either for additional sampling or to monitor changes in a lesion over time. This can be valuable in cases of surveillance for certain medical conditions.