FNAC: Sampling and Preparation Technique, Fixation, and Staining

摘要

What is FNAC? Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is generally considered a rapid, reliable, safe diagnostic procedure to obtain cellular samples of a lesion via insertion of a thin needle (23-27 G) for subsequent microscopic analysis. It is widely used in a variety of fields and, above all, for superficial palpable masses like many breast lesions. However, under instrumental guidance, FNAC can also be performed on nonpal-pable masses; the use of ultrasound guidance largely improves its accuracy in breast diagnostics, reducing sampling errors and avoiding complications [Liao et al, 2004].In developed countries, mammographic screening programs have been used extensively to detect breast cancer as early as possible in the last 20 years. This resulted in the detection of an increasing number of nonpalpable suspicious or doubtful breast lesions for further investigation. The FNAC report is extremely important because it provides necessary information for the management of patients, i.e., whether to proceed with more invasive diagnostic methods or surgical treatment or not, and helps to decide what kind of operation to perform.