What is the Difference Between FNAC and FNAB

Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) is a diagnostic procedure that is used to investigate lumps or masses in the body. In this technique, a hollow needle is inserted into the mass for sampling of cells. Later, after being stained, these cells are examined under microscopy. FNAC and FNAB are two related procedures but are not exactly the same.

The key difference between FNAC and FNAB is their methodology. FNAC (Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology) uses a thin needle to extract cellular material for examination through cytopathology, while FNAB (Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy) uses a thin needle to extract cellular material for examination through histopathology.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is FNAC 
3. What is FNAB
4. Similarities – FNAC and FNAB
5. FNAC vs FNAB in Tabular Form
6. Summary – FNAC vs FNAB
7. FAQ: FNAC and FNAB

What is FNAC?

FNAC is a fine needle aspiration technology to obtain cellular material for cytological examination. Cytology involves studying individual cells under a microscope to determine their characteristics and identify any abnormalities. FNAC is less invasive than biopsy.  Moreover, it is commonly used to assess thyroid nodules, breast lumps, and superficial lesions.

FNAC is particularly useful in the laboratory for diagnosing conditions where cellular morphology is important, such as differentiating between benign and malignant tumors. The cost of FNAC procedure would be around 88 dollars in normal laboratories.

What is FNAB?

The goal of the FNAB method is to obtain a larger tissue sample for histological examination. In this technique, a larger portion of cells and surrounding tissue is taken from the body for analysis. FNAB assesses the architecture and organization of tissues and involves studying the structure of the tissue and the arrangement of cells.

FNAB is used to diagnose a wide range of conditions, including cancer, infections, inflammatory diseases, and structural abnormalities. Furthermore, the cost of a FNAB procedure would be around $368.5.

Similarities Between FNAC and FNAB

1. FNAC and FNAB are two related procedures.
2. Both involve the collection of tissue samples for examination.
3. These tests are performed by skillful technicians.
4. Both tests are useful to detect malignant cells.

Difference Between FNAC and FNAB

Definition

1. FNAC is a fine needle aspiration method to obtain cellular material for cytological examination.
2. FNAB is a fine needle aspiration method to obtain cellular material for histopathological examination.

Invasiveness

1. FNAC is less invasive.
2. FNAB is more invasive.

Size of Mass Taken

1. A smaller amount of cellular material taken for FNAC.
2. A larger piece of cells and surrounding tissue are taken for FNAB.

Uses

1. FNAC is commonly used to assess thyroid nodules, breast lumps, and superficial lesions.
2. FNAB is commonly used to diagnose a wide range of conditions, including cancer, infections, inflammatory diseases, and structural abnormalities.

The following table summarizes the difference between FNAC and FNAB.

Summary – FNAC vs FNAB

Fine-needle aspiration uses a needle and syringe to get a tissue or fluid sample from a suspicious mass or lump in the body. FNAC and FNAB are two related fine needle aspiration techniques. FNAC examines the cellular material obtained from the body through cytopathology while FNAB examines the cellular material obtained from the body through histopathology. Furthermore, FNAC is less invasive whereas FNAB is more invasive. This summarizes the difference between FNAC and FNAB.

FAQ: FNAC and FNAB

1. What are the steps for fine needle aspiration?

• In the first step, the doctor will identify the lesion and find the best entry site. The skin is cleaned at the needle entry point. In the next step, the breast is held under tension. Under ultrasound guidance, the doctor will insert the needle and will repetitively pass through the lesion.

2. What happens if FNAC is positive?

• A positive FNAC test result indicates an abnormality in sampled cells; however, a positive result does not always indicate the presence of cancer or tumor in the body. Additional diagnostic tests may be required to diagnose the cancer stage and type.

3. Is an FNAC biopsy painful?

• The doctor may administer local anesthesia to numb the area before inserting the needle, minimizing discomfort during the procedure. Afterward, mild pain or discomfort may occur at the insertion site, but it typically subsides quickly. Compared to FNAB, the FNAC procedure is less invasive.

4. What is FNAB used for?

• FNAB is used to diagnose a wide range of conditions, including cancer, infections, inflammatory diseases, and structural abnormalities. Moreover, FNAB is useful for diagnosing palpable head and neck masses, especially those that persist after antibiotic treatment.

5. What is the disadvantage of FNAB?

• FNAB is more invasive than FNAC. Comparatively, the cost is also high for FNAB. Furthermore, FNAB cannot always provide the level of information afforded by core biopsy.

Reference:

1. “FNAC Test: Purpose, Procedures and Test Results.” CARE Hospitals.
2. NR;, Amedee RG; Dhurandhar. “Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy.” The Laryngoscope, U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Squamous cell carcinoma 4” By Yale Rosen – Squamous cell carcinoma at Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, FNA, Pap stain (10190009594)” By Ed Uthman from Houston, TX, USA – Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma, FNA, Pap stainUploaded by CFCF (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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