Fine Needle Aspiration
Year: 2020
Type: article
Abstract: Whether found on personal examination, by a physician on clinical examination or incidentally found on imaging, new growth or mass can be extremely alarming to a patient. Ensuring a quick and accurate diagnosis with minimal psychological and physical suffering on the part of the patient should be the healthcare team's highest priority. While an effective and thorough history and physical combined with advanced imaging modalities can now diagnose with a high degree of confidence, the etiology of many new masses, sometimes there is still diagnostic uncertainty. In these cases, a tissue or fluid sample is typically necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Furthermore, in the era of advanced biologic drugs and genotyping, even when a diagnosis is known, a tissue sample combined with genetic and molecular testing may be necessary to determine the most effective treatment modality. Finally, in limited cases, fine-needle aspiration may be used therapeutically to remove fluid from abscesses, cysts, or seromas.
Authors: David F. Sigmon, Saira Fatima
Institutions: University of Pennsylvania, Aga Khan University
Language: English
Subfield: Oncology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W3033813920