FNAC. Test Price and Details
4 labs availableLast Updated On Sunday, May 25, 2025
FNAC test full form is Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology and it is a rapid and painless examination to investigate lumps, swellings, or abnormal growths of tissue. The test identifies infection, inflammation, cysts, or even cancer in specific parts of the body.
It is particularly valuable to identify the nature of mass in organs such as the thyroid gland, breast, or lymph nodes. FNAC is most frequently performed because it is simple, quick, and cheap compared to other procedures. It's a frontline diagnostic tool for both general practitioners and oncologists.
What is FNAC Test?
The FNAC is commonly done in an outpatient department for biopsy of masses like neck, breast and diseases like lymphoma, tuberculosis etc. It forms the first approach towards diagnosing abnormal swellings as it helps in the identification of the immediate cause of the ailment. This procedure is advised to be done in any case where there is a lump discovered on the breast or neck. This test is used to see if the lump is malignant or not, that is to say, whether it’s cancerous in nature or not. It also used in the diagnosis of thyroid disease, salivary gland disease and lymph node disease.
Why FNAC Test is done?
The principal cause of writing an FNAC test is to determine the cause of swelling or swelling on the body without obvious cause. FNAC test procedure also determines if the swelling is benign (non-cancerous), malignant (cancerous), inflammation, or infection. The FNAC biopsy avoids surgeons from the operation by getting early knowledge through cell study.
Why Testing Is Prescribed?
Doctors prescribe the FNAC test for various diseases such as:
- FNAC test to rule out benign or malignant tumor.
- FNAC test for thyroid nodule to rule out thyroid cancer or cysts.
- FNAC test for lymph nodes to rule out infection, tuberculosis, or lymphoma.
- Soft tissue masses or salivary gland swellings should be assessed with FNAC test.
- Pre-operative diagnosis if malignancy is suspected.
Who Should Get the Test?
Recurrence or chronic lumps should be undergoing an FNAC test. Patients with:
- New or persistent lump in the breast.
- Swollen lymph nodes without evidence of infection.
- Goiter or thyroid nodules.
- Mass behind the armpit, groin, or ear.
- Family history of cancer or unexpected weight loss.
Particularly, FNAC in elderly is better as risk of cancer and delayed symptom perception is more in them.
Test Procedure and Preparation
The procedure for FNAC testing is brief and does not usually require hospitalization. It is conducted in diagnostic centers or outpatient centers and may be 15 to 30 minutes.
Is There Fasting Involved?
No, fasting is not involved in the FNAC test. Patients can have food and liquids as usual prior to the test. Since FNAC is a procedure in which fluid or tissue of swelling or lump is aspirated by a fine needle, not a blood test, the food and fluid restriction or avoidance before the test is not needed.
But if your doctor ordered some other tests also with fasting, like blood or contrast studies, then they may provide some special instructions. Always follow your doctor's advice in order to complete all the timed tests without any inconvenience.
How The Blood Sample is Obtained
Even though the test itself is not a blood test, FNAC test involves needle puncture of the lump or nodule using an extremely fine needle. To this end, the area is cleaned with antiseptic before this. A hypodermic syringe-mounted needle is then used to collect a small sample of cells. The sample is placed on glass slides and is later transported to a pathology laboratory for examination under the microscope.
If the lump is within the body, ultrasound or CT scan guidance can be used to place the needle in the correct position. Recovery is immediate and all patients experience only mild discomfort.
Normal and Abnormal FNAC Test Results
After the samples are examined by the laboratory, a pathologist examines the cells for any abnormality. The FNAC test results determines the nature of the lump.
Normal FNAC Report
Normal FNAC report is of benign or normal cells, and thus the swelling is benign because of infection, cyst, or reactive tissue change.
Low and High-Level Meanings
- Abnormal FNAC test report can reveal:
- Presence of cancerous cells.
- Presence of abnormal discharging cells or cells that require another biopsy or re-examination.
- Presence of inflammation or sign of infection.
- Presence of suspected chronic discharging granulomatous disease or tuberculosis.
If the test is not conclusive, doctors can recommend a repeat test or core needle biopsy.
Causes and Symptoms that need an FNAC test
There are numerous risk factors and symptoms that may be of concern and lead a doctor to prescribe an FNAC test.
Early Warning Signs
Some of the symptoms are rather common and can be diagnosed by FNAC:
- Fixed, hard, or increasing lumps.
- Lump with or without swelling and pain in the breast, neck, or armpit.
- Skin changes over a lump.
- Weight loss or weakness along with an enlarging lump.
FNAC Test Risks
Although largely safe, the FNAC test risks also exist. Although there is little opportunity for complications to arise, in some instances the test can result in mild side effects of:
- Bleeding or bruising at the injection site
- Infection, albeit rare, from the introduction of bacteria on insertion of the needle
- Pain or discomfort, temporary, relieved by over-the-counter analgesics
- Hematoma development (pooling of blood outside of the vessels) at the biopsy site
FNAC vs. Other Tests for Lumps and Swelling Diagnosis
- FNAC vs. Biopsy: FNAC necessitates the excision of an infinitesimal amount of tissue with a fine needle, while a biopsy necessitates the removal of a larger sample for detailed analysis. FNAC is less painful and faster, but a biopsy has to be performed for deeper or bigger lumps.
- FNAC and Ultrasound: Though the ultrasound is utilized to discover about lumps and guide the needle for FNAC, it doesn't provide cell information. The FNAC provides better information by evaluating tissue.
- FNAC and CT Scan: CT scanning provides white images of a lump, particularly if it's deep or an unidentified mass. It cannot offer tissue samples, though, where FNAC then comes in and analyzes cells.
- FNAC vs MRI: MRI gives detailed images of soft tissue, which is helpful to detect abnormalities that can be detected by other means. However, it never gives tissue samples, hence FNAC becomes essential to detect the nature of the lump.
FNAC Test Fee in Pakistan
FNAC test cost in Pakistan is between PKR 2,000 and PKR 5,000 depending on the lab, location, and if imaging guidance is required. There could be extra fees for visiting the doctor, reading the report, or ultrasound support. FNAC is still a very affordable diagnostic procedure even with an extra fee versus surgery biopsies.
Booking an FNAC Test at InstaCare
You can book your FNAC test with ease from InstaCare's website. Follow the below steps:
- Go to www.instacare.pk.
- Go towards the diagnostic page and order for FNAC test.
- Choose an original lab from your city.
- Choose your test time conveniently or home sample collection, if available.
- Get your test report online within 48–72 hours.
InstaCare provides original access to different labs at affordable rates and low-cost reports with transparent pricing.
Conclusion
FNAC test, or Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology, is one of the cornerstones of contemporary medical diagnosis. FNAC test in cancer diagnosis, infection, and inflammation without surgery is very much used. Whichever is breast lump, thyroid lump, swollen lymph node, FNAC test gives on-the-spot precise information regarding the inside scenario. Low risk, quick recovery, cost-effective - one of the best tests to undergo.
If you develop a persistent swelling or lump, especially with the onset of other symptoms such as weight loss or tiredness, then you need to see a doctor. The earlier you get it diagnosed, the better.
What is FNAC test used for?
FNAC test is used for the diagnosis of lumps, primarily FNAC test for breast lump, thyroid, or lymph node, and assist in deciding cancer cells, infection, or cysts.
Is FNAC test safe?
Yes, FNAC test is very safe. FNAC test is a very minimal invasive test and hardly causes any complications other than little bruising or soreness at the puncture area.
How accurate is FNAC test to diagnose cancer?
FNAC test accuracy is very specific, 90 to 95% for malignancy tumor detection, and is therefore a very good first line diagnostic tool in cancer.
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