FNA of the Thyroid

Availability

Fine Needle Aspiration (FNA) of the thyroid is a minimally invasive diagnostic procedure used to collect cellular material from nodules or suspicious areas of the thyroid gland to assess whether the lesion is benign or malignant.

When thyroid FNA is indicated:

  • In the presence of a suspicious or indeterminate thyroid nodule
  • To diagnose or rule out thyroid cancer
  • To monitor nodules with known history
  • In cases of rapid nodule growth or asymmetry

Procedure

A fine needle is inserted into the nodule—typically under ultrasound guidance—to ensure precise targeting. A small number of cells are aspirated and sent to a cytology laboratory, where a pathologist examines them under a microscope. The procedure is safe, painless, does not require anesthesia, and lasts only a few minutes. It is a key tool in reducing the need for unnecessary surgical biopsies.

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