The Utility of Fine-Needle Aspiration: How FNA has Affected our Musculoskeletal Oncology Practice

Abstract Fine needle aspiration (FNA) has been a widely accepted practice in the diagnosis of head and neck, thyroid, lung, pancreas and many other visceral sites. This has not been the case with the diagnosis of primary bone and soft tissue lesions. FNA has been an important part of our orthopaedic oncology practice for 18 years. Our ability to efficiently and effectively care for patients dramatically improved when FNA became an option for obtaining a tissue diagnosis. We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a pathologist-driven FNA service in orthopaedic oncology.