Special Instructions

Include patient's name, date of birth, Social Security number, source, previous malignancy, drug therapy, radiation therapy, and all other pertinent clinical information on the test request form. It is recommended to perform an aspirate only on a palpable mass. 'Blind' sticks are discouraged except under radiologic guidance. A minimum of two separate passes should be done to ensure an adequate sample. Specify specimen source, clinical history, and clinical impression on the form. For suspected infectious cases, submit a portion of the specimen to microbiology in sterile medium.

Limitations

The accuracy of Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology depends on the quality and adequacy of the specimen collected. Inadequate specimens can result in false-negative diagnoses. The procedure is less reliable for distinguishing between certain benign and malignant conditions and might not detect every type of neoplasm. Air drying, improper fixation, and improper labeling can lead to rejected samples. FNAC is limited in assessing the architecture of the tissue, which sometimes requires biopsy for comprehensive evaluation. Confirmatory tests may be required for definitive diagnosis.

Biomarkers

LOINC Codes

Result Turnaround Time

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