What is a fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy?
A. Fine Needle Aspiration biopsy (FNA) is a very safe and effective alternative, in some cases, to surgery for obtaining samples. In the procedure, cells are collected by drawing them out (or “aspirating” them) through a fine needle. FNA biopsies are ideal for samples from the pancreas, lung, liver, breast, lymph node or thyroid—areas which would otherwise require elaborate surgery—and the technique can yield almost immediate results.
