A needle biopsy is performed under local anesthesia. Simple aspirations are performed with a small gauge needle to attempt to draw fluid from lumps that are thought to be cysts. Fine needle biopsy uses a larger needle to make multiple passes through a lump, drawing out tissue and fluid. Withdrawn fluid and tissue is further evaluated to determine if there are cancerous cells present.

Review Date: 9/21/2000 12:00:00 AM Reviewed By:J. Gordon Lambert, MD, Associate Medical Director; G. Eric Morgan, MS3; RxRemedy

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