Fine Needle Aspiration: Cyst Aspiration
Fine needle aspiration (FNA) may be done to determine whether the lump in your breast is a cyst or something else.
What to Expect
Before the aspiration begins, we will inject a local anesthetic into your breast. Then, a skilled breast care specialist will insert a small, fine needle into the lump and draw out, or aspirate, the fluid. If the lump is a cyst, the fluid will be clear and you will not need any additional tests.
Breast cysts or abscesses are typically benign, fluid-filled sacs inside the breast that are sometimes uncomfortable. You may first notice one when you do a breast self-exam and feel a lump.
However, if the withdrawn fluid is bloody, the doctor will send it to the lab for analysis. The doctor may also want to remove a small sample of tissue for lab tests as well.
Results
The pathology department will examine the fluid and tissue sample for diagnosis. This review usually takes 5 business days before the results are ready. You can call your healthcare provider for the results.
You will need a follow-up visit after the aspiration to make sure the cyst has not refilled with fluid.
