Biopsy Procedures: Fine Needle Aspiration

What is a fine needle aspiration?

A fine needle aspiration biopsy is when the doctor inserts a hollow needle into the breast to draw out tissue from the suspected cancerous area. This procedure is performed most often when the area suspected to be cancerous contains a cyst, a fluid-filled sac. Typically, the mass is palpable, which allows the doctor to feel the cyst while inserting the needle.

The video below explains the steps of a fine needle aspiration biopsy:

How a fine needle aspiration breast biopsy is taken

Sources:

American Cancer Society, Inc. (n.d.). Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) of the Breast. Cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/breast-cancer/screening-tests-and-early-detection/breast-biopsy/surgical-breast-biopsy.html 

Bupa Health UK. (2013, Aug. 14). How a fine needle aspiration breast biopsy is taken [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LB8q1mqLuxA