FNAC Reporting Test in Kathmandu

About this test

Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology is a quick, minimally invasive way to find out what a lump or swelling is actually made of without resorting to surgery. Using a thin needle, the pathologist or clinician withdraws a small sample of cells from the suspicious area; these cells are smeared onto slides, stained and examined under the microscope, and the cytopathologist issues a report describing whether the cells look benign (inflammatory, reactive, a simple cyst), suspicious, or frankly malignant. It is the first-line investigation in Nepal for a palpable breast lump, an enlarged thyroid nodule or goitre, an unexplained neck or armpit lymph node, and swellings of the salivary gland, skin or soft tissue. Because tuberculous lymphadenitis is so common here, FNAC of a neck node is often the test that distinguishes TB from lymphoma or a secondary cancer deposit, sometimes guiding the doctor to send extra material for AFB or GeneXpert testing. A doctor typically orders it when a lump persists for more than two to three weeks, feels hard or fixed, is growing, or appears alongside weight loss or night sweats. The result is read together with your clinical examination and imaging such as ultrasound, and for thyroid swellings it is reported using the standardised Bethesda categories. While FNAC is excellent at confirming a clear diagnosis, an inconclusive or suspicious smear may need a repeat aspiration or a larger core/excision biopsy for full confirmation, so a normal report should always be interpreted in the context of the overall clinical picture.

Sample type

Cell aspirate on glass slides (FNAC smear)

Preparation

No fasting needed. The aspiration is a quick out-patient procedure using a fine needle, similar to a routine blood draw and usually done without anaesthesia. If you take blood-thinning medicines (aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel) or have a bleeding tendency, please tell the doctor beforehand. Bring any previous ultrasound, mammogram or scan reports of the lump.

Turnaround time

Reports for FNAC Reporting are typically ready within: 4th Working Day. Reports can be collected at the clinic during opening hours or shared via WhatsApp once they are ready.

Also known as

Other pathology tests we run

These are routinely ordered alongside FNAC Reporting or as part of the same diagnostic workup.

How to book

WhatsApp is the fastest way — message us with the test name and your preferred time, and we'll confirm a slot the same day. You can also walk into the clinic at Rumba Chowk, Sanobharang any day between 7AM and 8PM, or fill in our online booking form.