Fine-needle Aspiration - Applications

Applications

This type of sampling is performed for one of two reasons:

1. A biopsy is performed on a lump or a tissue mass when its nature is in question.
2. For known tumors, this biopsy is performed to assess the effect of treatment or to obtain tissue for special studies.

When the lump can be felt, the biopsy is usually performed by a cytopathologist or a surgeon. In this case, the procedure is usually short and simple. Otherwise, it may be performed by an interventional radiologist, a doctor with training in performing such biopsies under x-ray or ultrasound guidance. In this case, the procedure may require more extensive preparation and take more time to perform.

Also, fine-needle aspiration is the main method used for chorionic villus sampling, as well as for many types of body fluid sampling.