'''Needle aspiration biopsy''' ('''NAB'''), also known as '''fine needle aspiration cytology''' ('''FNAC'''), '''fine needle aspiration biopsy''' ('''FNAB''') and '''fine needle aspiration''' ('''FNA'''), is a [[medical]] procedure performed to [[medical diagnosis|diagnose]] certain kinds of medical conditions, such as lumps in the [[neck]]. A thin needle is inserted into a mass or lump to extract cells that will be examined under a [[microscope]]. Fine needle aspiration [[biopsy|biopsies]] are very safe, minor [[surgery|surgical]] procedures. Often, a major surgical (excisional or open) biopsy can be avoided by performing a needle aspiration biopsy instead. | '''Needle aspiration biopsy''' ('''NAB'''), also known as '''fine needle aspiration cytology''' ('''FNAC'''), '''fine needle aspiration biopsy''' ('''FNAB''') and '''fine needle aspiration''' ('''FNA'''), is a [[medical]] procedure performed to [[medical diagnosis|diagnose]] certain kinds of medical conditions, such as lumps in the [[neck]]. A thin needle is inserted into a mass or lump to extract cells that will be examined under a [[microscope]]. Fine needle aspiration [[biopsy|biopsies]] are very safe, minor [[surgery|surgical]] procedures. Often, a major surgical (excisional or open) biopsy can be avoided by performing a needle aspiration biopsy instead. |