Biopsy - bone marrow

Definition    Return to top

Bone marrow is soft tissue found inside some of the larger bones in the
body. The marrow produces platelets and red and white blood cells. A
biopsy is a method of removing a small tissue sample from the body to
have it examined under a microscope and possibly analyzed by other
tests.

How the test is performed    Return to top

The bone marrow biopsy may be done in the health care provider's office
or in a hospital. The sample is usually taken from the hip bone. The
skin is cleansed, and a local anesthetic is injected to numb the skin.

The biopsy needle is then inserted into the bone. The core of the
needle will then be removed, and the needle is pressed forward and
rotated in both directions. This forces a tiny sample of the bone
marrow into the needle. The needle is then removed. Pressure is applied
to the biopsy site to stop bleeding, and a bandage is applied.

An aspirate may also be performed, usually before the biopsy is taken.
After the skin is anesthetized, the aspirate needle is inserted into
the bone, and a syringe is used to withdraw the liquid bone marrow. If
this is performed, the needle will be removed and either repositioned,
or another needle may be used for the biopsy.

How to prepare for the test    Return to top

Inform the health care provider if you have allergies to any
medications, about which medications you are taking, and if you have
bleeding problems. The health care provider should also know if you are
pregnant. You must sign a consent form.

For infants and children:

The preparation you can provide for this test depends on your child's
age and experience. For specific information regarding how you can
prepare your child, see the following:
Infant test or procedure preparation (birth to 1 year)
Toddler test or procedure preparation (1 to 3 years)
Preschooler test or procedure preparation (3 to 6 years)
Schoolage test or procedure preparation (6 to 12 years)
Adolescent test or procedure preparation (12 to 18 years)

How the test will feel    Return to top

There will be a sharp stinging from the anesthetic injection. As the
aspirate is withdrawn, there may be a brief, sharp pain. The biopsy
needle may also produce a brief pain, usually more dull. Since the
interior of the bone cannot be anesthetized, this test may cause some
discomfort. Not all patients experience these symptoms, however.

Why the test is performed    Return to top

The test is done after abnormal types or numbers of red or white blood
cells are found in a complete blood count, or to evaluate whether other
systemic diseases are present in the bone marrow.

The examination may detect the cause of the abnormality, certain types
of anemia (not enough red blood cells), cancer in the marrow, and may
be used to monitor the response to therapy for some cancers.

Normal Values    Return to top

The marrow has normal cells that are the correct types and numbers.

What abnormal results mean    Return to top

The results may indicate cancers of the bone marrow (leukemia or
Hodgkin's disease). The results may detect the cause of anemia (too few
red blood cells), abnormal white blood cells, or thrombocytopenia (too
few platelets).

Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
Coccidioidomycosis; disseminated
Hairy cell leukemia
Hodgkin's lymphoma
Idiopathic aplastic anemia
Multiple myeloma
Neuroblastoma
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
Polycythemia vera
Primary amyloid
Primary myelofibrosis
Primary thrombocythemia
Secondary aplastic anemia
Secondary systemic amyloid

We don't encourage emails here; you're likely to get someone trying to sell you
something.
It's hard to know from your post, if your mother has early cervical cancer, had
surgery and is having some chemo for good measure or if it has spread (advanced
metastatic cancer).
The staging information would be helpful, especially if you are going to
compare notes with others with the same cancer.
Depending on the details, I can perhaps direct you to a specific list or have
you stay here with us.
Let us know.
J

My wife's best friend since third grade (now a Mayo Clinic nurse!) got
breast cancer a few years ago. She said the chemo was worse than the
disease. But she got through it and she's presumably in remission now
(hasn't been a full five years, I think).

Chemo is rough stuff. A session or two ago I went in to see a poor lady
slumped in a chair (the patients get the recliners :), with about ten
strands of hair coming out the middle of her head, hugging a teddy bear.
You have no idea how much I just wanted to go over and hug her, but I
don't know the etiquette of such things or the strength of her desire to
be left alone.