ABSTRACT: Fine Needle Aspiration May Shed Breast Cells into Peripheral Blood as Determined by RT-PCR Objective: A diagnostic test applying reverse-transcriptase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay targeted against cytokeratin 19 (CK19), cytokeratin 20 (CK20) and the [beta]-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin ([beta]-hCG) mRNAs was used to evaluate the impact of fine needle aspiration (FNA) on breast cell shedding into peripheral blood. Conclusion: FNA to breast tumor may cause hematogenous dissemination of breast cells. Ann's NOTE: What this means is that like a surgical biopsy, it is possible to spread malignant cells through the blood stream by the fine needle aspiration. (NOT GOOD NEWS). Arch Surg, 6/04 The Breast Journal June 2001 Clip Migration After Stereotactic Biopsy Eur J of Surg Onc, 8/01 Br J Surg, 2/02 Breast Cancer Research & Treatment, 1/02 Breast Cancer Research, 4/02 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.