Can a vet's FNA test misdiagnose a pet's lump or cyst, and why?

Question

Is it possible for a cyst to be misdiagnosed on a fna? The vet thought it was a cyst by looking at it & noticing a pustule. After the fna said she didn’t know what it was but it was something of the same cell. Like can it not include the usual white substance? Like she had a bump since June of 2017. It was slow growing, caused no problems, had no discharge & only recently started to show a small pustule . She had it removed & it’s being sent off to be tested. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 9 years and 3 months old | 4 lbs

Laura Johnson VMD · Accepted Answer

Hi, thabks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Yes a cyst can get misdiagnosed off an FNA if the cells lining the cyst weren’t aspirated and it was just the fluid or cystic material. FNA isn’t always diagnostic for many types of skin bumps. The only diffinitive diagnosis is to remove it and send it for biopsy. If the aspirate indicates something other than a cyst and your Vet is concerned then I suggest removing it. I wish you the best!

Can a vet's FNA test misdiagnose a pet's lump or cyst, and why?

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