Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC)

In fine-needle cytology aspiration, tumor cells are collected to be examined under the microscope by the pathologist. 

The procedure is done without anesthesia using a 10ml syringe and a needle with diameter smaller than 0.6mm – thinner than those used in vaccines.

A device linked to the syringe creates a negative pressure to aspirate the cells, while the doctor moves the needle around to extract a sample representative of the tumor.

The extracted cells are put on a slide, fixed and stained, to be examined under the microscope for the abnormal features of malignant tumors. 

In  pathological sub-classifications  you can learn more about the laboratory tests done on tumors removed by cytology or biopsy.