Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)
A thin needle samples a lump, usually without local anaesthetic.
Also known as: FNAC, FNA, needle aspiration, lump test
Price on request
This one is done at the centre — it cannot be collected at home. Find your nearest branch.
- Turnaround
- 3–5 working days
- Preparation
- No fasting needed. Eat and drink normally.
- Sample
- In-clinic procedure
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About this test
Used for thyroid swellings, breast lumps, enlarged lymph nodes and soft tissue masses. It takes minutes, needs no stitches and frequently settles the question of whether a lump needs surgery — which makes it the usual first step once a lump has been imaged.
What it measures
- Cytological diagnosis
- Whether the lesion is benign, suspicious or malignant
A note on results. A single test is one part of a clinical picture, not a diagnosis. Discuss your report with a qualified doctor, who will read it alongside your history and examination.
Related to
- Cancer screening
Often ordered with this
AFP (Alpha-Fetoprotein)
A liver and germ-cell tumour marker, also used in antenatal screening.
- 24–48 hours
- No fasting
- Home collection
BCR-ABL
Diagnoses chronic myeloid leukaemia and measures response to treatment.
- 10–14 working days
- No fasting
- Home collection
Beta-2 Microglobulin
Used to stage myeloma and lymphoma, and to assess kidney handling.
- 3–5 working days
- No fasting
- Home collection