Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy
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At the UCSF Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy Clinic, our cytopathologists – specialized pathologists who diagnose diseases at the cellular level – offer consultation services, evaluate patients and perform same-day fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies. For abnormal growths that are not easily felt, ultrasound imaging is used as a guide in doing the biopsy.
In an FNA biopsy, cells are removed from a lump using a needle and syringe. The cells are evaluated under a microscope to determine the nature of the lump. Benign growths, cancers and infections can be diagnosed this way. Special tests can be applied to these small samples to aid in diagnosing and treating cancer, including tumors of the breast, lymph nodes and thyroid. Diagnosis is usually made within two or three days after the procedure.
At the UCSF Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy Clinic, our cytopathologists – specialized pathologists who diagnose diseases at the cellular level – offer consultation services, evaluate patients and perform same-day fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies. For abnormal growths that are not easily felt, ultrasound imaging is used as a guide in doing the biopsy.
In an FNA biopsy, cells are removed from a lump using a needle and syringe. The cells are evaluated under a microscope to determine the nature of the lump. Benign growths, cancers and infections can be diagnosed this way. Special tests can be applied to these small samples to aid in diagnosing and treating cancer, including tumors of the breast, lymph nodes and thyroid. Diagnosis is usually made within two or three days after the procedure.
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What to expect
Providers
Frederick Baehner, MD
Anatomic Pathology • Cytopathology
Ronald Balassanian, MD
Anatomic Pathology • Cytopathology
Georgios Deftereos, MD
Anatomic Pathology • Cytopathology
Nancy Greenland, MD, PhD
Anatomic Pathology • Cytopathology
Awards & recognition
Best in California and No. 7 in the nation for cancer care
Designated comprehensive cancer center
Related services
Related conditions & treatments
Conditions
- Breast Lump
- Breast Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer
- Lymphoma
Treatments
- Fine Needle Aspiration
- Fine Needle Aspiration of Thyroid
- Ultrasound-Guided Thyroid Biopsy
- Biopsy of Mass
Clinical trials
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UCSF Department of Pathology ResearchOpens in a new window
The UCSF Department of Pathology has numerous research programs that collaborate with other groups at UCSF to improve patient care in many areas, such as cancer and transplantation medicine.UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center ResearchOpens in a new window
UCSF is home to a range of research initiatives aimed at improving outcomes for cancer patients everywhere. This includes research on topics such as immunotherapy, BRCA mutations and molecular diagnostic testing.
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