Bone marrow biopsy

A bone marrow biopsy may be done in your health care provider's office or in a hospital. The sample may be taken from the pelvic or breast bone. Sometimes, another area is used. Marrow is removed in the following steps: If needed, you are given medicine to help you relax. Your provider cleans the skin and injects…

Tell your provider: If you are allergic to any medicines What medicines you are taking If you have bleeding problems If you are pregnant

You will feel a sharp sting when the numbing medicine is injected. The biopsy needle may also cause a brief, usually dull, pain. Since the inside of the bone cannot be numbed, this test may cause some discomfort. If a bone marrow aspiration is also done, you may feel a brief, sharp pain as the bone marrow liquid is…

Your provider may order this test if you have abnormal types or numbers of red or white blood cells or platelets on a complete blood count (CBC). This test is used to diagnose: Anemia (some types) Certain infections Leukemia Other blood cancers and disorders It may also be used to help determine if a cancer has spread…

A normal result means the bone marrow contains the proper number and types of blood-forming (hematopoietic) cells, fat cells, and connective tissues.

Abnormal results may be due to cancers of the bone marrow (leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or other cancers). The results may detect the cause of anemia (too few red blood cells), abnormal white blood cells, or thrombocytopenia (too few platelets). Specific conditions for which the test may be performed: A…

There may be some bleeding at the puncture site. More serious risks, such as serious bleeding or infection, are very rare.

Bates I, Burthem J. Bone marrow biopsy. In: Bain BJ, Bates I, Laffan MA, eds. Dacie and Lewis Practical Haematology . 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 7. Chernecky CC, Berger BJ. Bone marrow aspiration analysis-specimen (biopsy, bone marrow iron stain, iron stain, bone marrow). In: Chernecky CC, Berger…