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FNA of the Thyroid Gland

FNA of the Thyroid Gland
In order to determine what is wrong with your thyroid, doctors will often use a process called FNA (Fine-needle aspiration).

In order to determine what is wrong with your thyroid, doctors will often use a process called FNA (Fine-needle aspiration). This is a cytological examination (biopsy). It determines the nature of the suspicious tissue.

As we know, there can be many problems that occur in relation to the thyroid. These can include thyroid cancer, nodules or cysts. In order to determine what is wrong with your thyroid, doctors will often use a process called FNA (Fine-needle aspiration). This is a cytological examination (biopsy). It determines the nature of the suspicious tissue.

During the examination,  the doctor will use an ultrasound as a guide. He or she will put a fine needle into the desired location on the thyroid and carefully extract a piece of suspicious tissue.

These exams usually take about 20 minutes. During the examination,  the doctor will use an ultrasound as a guide. He or she will put a fine needle into the desired location on the thyroid and carefully extract a piece of suspicious tissue. The tissue is later forwarded to the cytology processing. Results can typically be found within a week. The process rarely yields complications but can result in bleeding bruising and infection.

The cytological analysis distinguishes benign from malignant nodules. It can also reveal a chronic inflammation of the thyroid. It helps determine whether it is a case of normal, inflammatory, or tumor cells. If you are concerned that you may have an issue with your thyroid that will require an FNA, you should feel encouraged to see your doctor for treatment. Cases of thyroid cancer are very rare and extremely treatable!

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