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 Bone marrow is the spongy part located inside the bone, where blood cells are created. The bone marrow is responsible for making red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

A bone marrow biopsy is a test used to diagnose conditions that may be affecting your bone marrow and blood.

What to expect while going for a bone marrow biopsy test?

Before going for a bone marrow biopsy, make time to understand the procedure from your haematologist or oncologist.

Please inform him on the following:

Any history of bleeding disorders

Any medications you are taking especially blood thinners

Any medication allergies

The following are the steps to the actual procedure:

• The test takes about 30 minutes, mostly at a clinic or a hospital.
• During the procedure you will be alert and awake, but you will receive a local anaesthetic injection at the biopsy site to numb the pain.
• The site from where the biopsy is done is usually the posterior iliac crest, so you may be required to lie on your side.
• The site will be disinfected and cleaned, and a small incision will be made through which the biopsy needle will be inserted into the bone. The needle has a small hollowed-out centre to remove a small piece of the tissue from the bone marrow.
• The procedure to draw out the liquid from the bone marrow is called ‘bone marrow aspiration’, and it requires a different needle along with a syringe.
• You may feel a sharp pain or a stinging sensation during the procedure.
• After the sample is removed, the site will be dressed to stop bleeding and prevent any infection.
• You will be provided with a painkiller to help with discomfort or pain after the procedure.
• The wound should be kept dry for at least 24 hours.

Why is a bone marrow biopsy test recommended?

A bone marrow test is used as a diagnostic tool for the following conditions: anaemia, aplastic anaemia, leukopenia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis, polycythemia vera, leukaemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, cancers originating in organs such as the lungs and breasts that have spread to the bone, myelofibrosis, and myelodysplastic syndrome.

In addition to diagnosing a condition, a bone marrow biopsy is also used to identify the stage of cancer and to monitor the effectiveness of treatment.

A bone marrow biopsy test is recommended for patients with signs of a blood disorder or any other condition that involves the bone marrow. It is best to talk to your haematologist or oncologist if you have specific concerns or questions before undergoing a bone marrow biopsy.

Dr. Ashray Shrikant Kole
M.D (Medicine)
Consultant Cancer Physician
MOC Cancer Care & Research Centre, Thane & Mulund.