What is a fine-needle aspiration (FNA)? 

In order to get a tissue sample from a thyroid growth/nodule without surgery your doctor will most likely do a procedure called a fine-needle aspiration (FNA).   This procedure consists of using a needle to extract cells from the thyroid nodule and/or suspicious tissue.  In many cases the endocrinologist will use high-resolution ultrasound guidance to ensure the needle is placed within the thyroid nodule.  The doctor will usually take multiple samples from different location in the nodule, typically 3 locations.  The tissue samples can then be stained and viewed under a microscope by a pathologist who will determine if the sample consists of cancer cells.   

Overall, this procedure is highly accurate.  Studies show that the typical results from a fine needle aspiration are:  80% show a benign mass, 10% Indeterminate or suspicious, and 5% Insufficient sample, 5% Malignant.   The chances of the test being inaccurate are very low (false-negative rates are 1%-5%).¹

So if you have been diagnosis with a thyroid nodule expect a FNA.  I’m sure the thought of a doctor sticking a needle in your neck sounds a little scary but it sure beats surgery.   I would prefer the FNA any day over surgery!