Why is bone marrow aspiration done

You may hear a crunching sound and feel pressure and some pain when the needle enters the bone. During an aspiration, you may feel a quick, shooting pain down your leg as the sample is taken.

Biopsy results are usually ready in 1 to 7 days. But it may take several weeks to get the results if genetic tests are done on the sample.

The bone is put into a solution that breaks down its calcium before it is stained. The bone marrow sample is often treated with special dyes stains to see any changes in the blood cells more clearly. The marrow has normal amounts of fat, connective tissue, and iron. Normal numbers of both mature and immature growing bone marrow cells are present.

No cancer cells, such as leukemia , lymphoma , or multiple myeloma , are seen. No cancer cells have spread from other cancer sites, such as breast cancer. Too much iron or too little iron iron deficiency anemia is seen in the bone marrow. Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.

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Updated visitor guidelines. Top of the page. Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy. Test Overview Bone marrow aspiration is a procedure that takes out a small amount of bone marrow fluid through a needle.

Why It Is Done A bone marrow aspiration, biopsy, or both are done to: Look for the cause of problems with red blood cells , white blood cells , or platelets in people who have conditions such as thrombocytopenia , anemia , or an abnormal white blood cell count. Find blood disorders, such as leukemia , certain anemias, or problems that affect the bone marrow, such as multiple myeloma or polycythemia vera.

Check to see if a known cancer, such as Hodgkin lymphoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma, has spread to the bone marrow. This is part of what is called staging. It is done to find out if the cancer has spread and how much it has spread.

This helps plan cancer treatment. Find infections or tumors that may start in or spread to the bone marrow. If you have an infection, a culture and sensitivity test of the bone marrow sample may be used to find out which antibiotics will work best to treat the infection. Find the best treatment for a bone marrow problem.

After treatment has been started, a bone marrow aspiration and biopsy may be done to see if the leukemia cells are gone. This means the treatment is working. Collect a sample of bone marrow for medical procedures, such as stem cell transplant or chromosomal analysis. You will feel pressure when the biopsy needle passes into the bone and as the needle and biopsy are being removed from the bone. The doctor or nurse practitioner removes the needle after collecting the sample. Samples are sent to a lab to be examined under a microscope.

The doctor or nurse will clean the area with alcohol, put a bandage over it and apply pressure to the area for a few minutes to stop the bleeding. You will stay lying down for 20—30 minutes after the biopsy. When the bleeding has stopped and you can leave the clinic or hospital, you may go back to your normal activities. Some people may have the following side effects where the needle was inserted: tenderness or pain bleeding or bruising redness or swelling. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy can show if: you have certain types of cancer, such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma NHL or Hodgkin lymphoma cancer has spread to the bone marrow you have anemia or a blood disorder.

These procedures can also tell the healthcare team whether bacteria or fungi have caused an infection in the bone marrow. Your doctor will decide if you need more tests, procedures, follow-up care or additional treatments. Preparing children before a test or procedure can lower anxiety, increase cooperation and help them develop coping skills.

Preparation includes explaining to children what will happen during the test, including what they will see, feel and hear. Most children will be given a general anesthetic before bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Sometimes an older child can have a local anesthetic and sedation. The healthcare team will put a numbing cream on the biopsy area before the test is done.

The preparation for bone marrow aspiration and biopsy depends on the age and experience of the child. Find out more age-specific information on how to prepare a child for tests and procedures.

Home Treatments Tests and procedures Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Why bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are done. How bone marrow aspiration and biopsy are done. It contains cells that produce white blood cells WBCs , red blood cells RBCs , and platelets inside larger bones, such as the:.

WBCs help fight infection. RBCs carry oxygen and nutrients. Platelets enable your blood to clot. A complete blood count CBC shows the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which can be abnormally high or low. If this happens, your doctor may want to examine your bone marrow to find the cause. Bone marrow aspiration is often performed with a bone marrow biopsy. However, a different needle is used in a bone marrow biopsy to remove solid tissue from your bone marrow.

Some conditions are associated with unhealthy bone marrow. If preliminary blood tests show abnormal levels of white or red blood cells or platelets, your doctor may order a bone marrow aspiration.

The test helps identify the particular disease, and it monitors the progression or treatment of a disease. Conditions and diseases related to bone marrow problems include:. It can help determine if the cancer has spread to the bones. While bone marrow exams are safe, all medical procedures carry some type of risk. Possible complications include:.

The risks are rare and most often associated with conditions that cause a weakened immune system or low platelet count. A weakened immune system can make you more prone to infection. A low platelet count increases your risk of excessive bleeding.