Fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a diagnostic procedure used to investigate superficial lumps or masses under the skin, like those found in the neck, salivary gland and the thyroid gland lesions. A thin hollow needle is inserted into the mass for sampling of the cells and later examination under a microscope.
FNAC is safer, simpler and less traumatic than an open surgical process and is widely used in cytology examination for detection of cancer causing cells.