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Medical Author:

Ruchi Mathur, MD, FRCP(C)

Ruchi Mathur, MD, FRCP(C)

Ruchi Mathur, MD, FRCP(C) is an Attending Physician with the Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism and Associate Director of Clinical Research, Recruitment and Phenotyping with the Center for Androgen Related Disorders, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

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Medical Editor:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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In this Article

• What are thyroid nodules?
• What is the initial assessment of a thyroid nodule?
• Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the thyroid gland - why is it done?
• Should fine needle aspiration biopsy be done on all thyroid nodules?
• How is fine needle aspiration biopsy performed?
• What are the complications of fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid?
• What happens to the thyroid tissue obtained at the fine needle aspiration biopsy?
• Summary
• Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy At A Glance
• Patient Comments: Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Thyroid - Experience
• Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy of the Thyroid Index

Summary

A fine needle aspiration biopsy of the thyroid gland is an effective method to determine whether or not a thyroid nodule is cancer. The procedure is relatively simple procedure that is usually performed in a doctor's office and usually takes less than 20 minutes. Complications are rare but include bleeding, bruising, and infection. Results are generally available within one week and help determine what further interventions or treatments are needed.

Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy At A Glance

• Fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the thyroid is a procedure used to detect cancer in a thyroid nodule or to treat thyroid cysts.

• Between 4% and 7% of people in the United States have thyroid nodules.

• The chance that a thyroid nodule is malignant varies with age, gender, radiation exposure, and other factors.

• fine needle aspiration biopsy is performed in a doctor's office and takes about 20 minutes.

• Complications are rare, but include bleeding, bruising, and infection.

• Results help determine further management and treatment and are usually available within a week.