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         Bone marrow test 
         Useful information 
         Contents                                                     The types of biopsy 
                                                                      There are 2 main types of bone marrow test – a bone 
         This information tells you about bone                        marrow aspiration and a bone marrow trephine 
         marrow tests, what they are and what                         biopsy. Aspiration means the doctor or nurse sucks 
         happens when you have one. There are                         some bone marrow cells up into a syringe. A bone 
         sections on                                                  marrow trephine means that they remove a 1 or 2cm 
                                                                      core of bone marrow in one piece. 
          
         •  What a bone marrow test is for                            You usually have both of these tests done at the same 
         •  The types of biopsy                                       time. They give some of the same information to the 
         •  Having the test                                           doctor, but there are differences. The bone marrow 
         •  Possible risks from a bone marrow test                    trephine biopsy shows the structure of the bone 
         •  The results                                               marrow inside the bone, whereas the aspiration takes 
                                                                      just the bone marrow cells. 
          
                                                                      Having the test 
         You can view this information in a larger                    Either test only takes a few minutes and you can have 
                                                                      them done as an outpatient. The doctor or nurse 
         print on our website.                                        usually takes the bone marrow sample from your hip 
                                                                      bone. You can have a bone marrow aspiration from 
         What a bone marrow test is for                               your breast bone (sternum) but not a bone marrow 
         This test is to see whether there are cancer cells in        biopsy. 
         your bone marrow (the spongy substance in the 
         centre of the bones where red and white blood cells          You usually lie on your side with your knees tucked 
         and platelets are made). For this test, a doctor or          up into your chest. First the doctor or nurse cleans the 
         specialist nurse removes a tiny sample of bone               area with some antiseptic fluid, which can feel cold. 
         marrow cells to look at under the microscope.                Then you have a local anaesthetic injection into the 
                                                                      skin over the biopsy site to numb it. When this has 
         Bone marrow tests are usually done for cancers that          worked, the doctor or nurse puts the needle in 
         are most likely to affect the bone marrow, such as           through the skin. It goes into the hip bone or sternum, 
                                                                      and into the centre of the bone, where the marrow is. 
         •  Lymphomas                                                 The needle is attached to a syringe. For a bone 
         •  Leukaemias                                                marrow aspiration, the needle is quite thin. For a bone 
         •  Myeloma                                                   marrow trephine, the needle is thicker.  
          
                                                                       
         But it can be done for any type of cancer if your 
         doctor thinks your bone marrow could contain                  
         cancer cells, or needs to rule this out for any reason. 
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        If you are having a marrow aspiration, the doctor or       Possible risks from a bone marrow test 
        nurse sucks a small amount of liquid bone marrow           A bone marrow test is very safe and any risks are 
        into the needle. You will feel a pulling sensation when    small.  
        they start drawing the bone marrow cells out. Some 
        people have a sudden, sharp pain. If you are having a      Some people have a small amount of bleeding from 
        trephine biopsy as well, the doctor or nurse will take     the site where the needle went in. If you are on 
        this needle out and put the second one in.                 medication to thin your blood, such as warfarin, you 
                                                                   may need to stop taking these before the test. Your 
        If you are having a trephine, the doctor or nurse will     doctor will advise you when and how long to stop 
        turn the needle back and forth while pushing it further    taking them. You will have a dressing over the site 
        into the marrow. The aim is to get a small amount of       which you should keep on for 24 hours. If you notice 
        marrow out in one piece. Once it is in far enough, the     any bleeding apply pressure to the area. If it doesn't 
        doctor or nurse draws out the needle, containing its       stop, contact the hospital. 
        core of marrow. The needle going into the hip bone 
        can be painful, but this only lasts a short time. The      There is a small risk of getting an infection in the 
        whole test takes 15 to 20 minutes.                         wound. If you have a temperature or the area 
                                                                   becomes red and sore let your doctor know.  
                                                                   During the procedure there is a very small risk of 
                                                                   damage to nearby structures. The needles doctor use 
                                                                   have a guard on them now which stops the needle 
                                                                   going too deep so it is unlikely to be a problem.   
                                                                   The results 
                                                                   It can take time for results to come through. Exactly 
                                                                   how long may depend on why you are having the 
                                                                   test. Generally, it can take a couple of days to get the 
                                                                   results of the bone marrow aspirate, but the trephine 
                                                                   result may take up to a couple of weeks.  
                                                                   The bone marrow sample is sent to the medical 
                                                                   laboratory as soon as it has been removed. A 
                                                                   pathologist examines it under a microscope. To do 
        Some people prefer to have some type of sedative           this, they may need to stain the cells so that the 
        before the test so that they are a bit drowsy. Sedation    different types show up more clearly. The staining 
        of some sort is certainly a good idea for children. If     techniques can take a couple of days, depending on 
        you have a sedative, you will need to stay at the          what needs to be done. The pathologist's report on 
        hospital for a few hours until it has worn off. And you    the bone marrow sample will be typed up and sent to 
        will need someone with you so that you don't have to       your specialist. 
        go home on your own. Some hospitals may use gas             
        and air (Entonox) to help relax you instead of sedation. 
        After the test, your hip may ache for a couple of days.     
        You may need some mild painkillers such as                  
        paracetamol to take at home. 
          
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      Understandably, waiting for results can make you very 
      anxious. Try to remember to ask when you can 
      expect the results when your specialist first suggests 
      you have the test. If your doctor needs the test results 
      urgently, they will have written that on the request 
      form. If it isn't an emergency and you haven't heard 
      after a couple of weeks, you can ring your doctor's 
      secretary or specialist nurse to check if your results 
      are back. 
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
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      Adapted from Cancer Research UK’s website in May 2015. Cancer Research UK’s website is not designed to provide 
      medical advice or professional services and is intended to be for educational use only. The information provided 
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      problem you should consult your doctor. Copyright Cancer Research UK 2015. Cancer Research UK is a registered 
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      Bone marrow test                                                                     03