What is a bone marrow test. How is a bone marrow biopsy performed. Why might a doctor recommend a bone marrow aspiration. What are the potential side effects of a bone marrow biopsy. How long does it take to get bone marrow test results.

Understanding Bone Marrow and Its Importance

Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found inside our bones, responsible for producing blood cells. It plays a crucial role in our body’s immune system and overall health. A bone marrow test, also known as a bone marrow biopsy or aspiration, is a medical procedure that allows doctors to examine the cells within this vital tissue.

The Function of Bone Marrow

Bone marrow serves as the factory for our blood cells, producing:

• Red blood cells (erythrocytes) that carry oxygen throughout the body
• White blood cells (leukocytes) that fight infections
• Platelets (thrombocytes) that help with blood clotting

Given its importance, any abnormalities in bone marrow function can have significant implications for a person’s health.

The Purpose of Bone Marrow Tests

Bone marrow tests are typically performed to diagnose or monitor various conditions, particularly blood disorders and certain types of cancer. They provide valuable information about the health and function of bone marrow cells.

Common Reasons for Bone Marrow Tests

Doctors may recommend a bone marrow test for several reasons:

1. To diagnose blood cancers such as leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma
2. To determine the stage or progression of a known cancer
3. To evaluate the effectiveness of cancer treatments
4. To investigate unexplained abnormalities in blood cell counts
5. To diagnose certain non-cancerous conditions affecting blood cell production

Are bone marrow tests only used for cancer diagnosis? While cancer detection is a common reason for bone marrow tests, they are also valuable in diagnosing non-cancerous conditions such as anemia, infections, and bone marrow disorders.

Types of Bone Marrow Tests

There are two main types of bone marrow tests: aspiration and biopsy. Often, both procedures are performed during the same appointment to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the bone marrow.

Bone Marrow Aspiration

In a bone marrow aspiration, a thin needle is used to withdraw a small amount of liquid bone marrow. This sample contains loose cells that can be examined under a microscope.

Bone Marrow Biopsy

A bone marrow biopsy involves removing a small core of bone along with the marrow inside. This provides information about the structure and cellularity of the bone marrow.

Can bone marrow tests be performed separately? While it’s common to have both tests done together, in some cases, a doctor may only need to perform one or the other depending on the specific diagnostic requirements.

The Bone Marrow Test Procedure

Understanding what to expect during a bone marrow test can help alleviate anxiety and prepare patients for the procedure.

Before the Test

Prior to the procedure:

• Your doctor will explain the process and ask you to sign a consent form
• You may need to change into a hospital gown
• You’ll be positioned on your side with your knees drawn up to your chest

During the Test

The actual procedure involves several steps:

1. The area (usually the hip bone) is cleaned with antiseptic
2. Local anesthetic is injected to numb the area
3. A thin needle is inserted through the skin and into the bone
4. For aspiration, a syringe is used to withdraw liquid bone marrow
5. For biopsy, a larger needle removes a small core of bone and marrow

How long does a bone marrow test take? The entire procedure typically lasts about 30 minutes, with the actual sampling taking only a few minutes.

Potential Side Effects and Recovery

While bone marrow tests are generally safe, like any medical procedure, they can have some side effects.

Common Side Effects

Patients may experience:

• Bruising at the biopsy site
• Mild pain or discomfort for a few days
• Slight bleeding from the biopsy site

Rare Complications

In rare cases, more serious complications can occur:

• Infection at the biopsy site
• Prolonged bleeding
• Allergic reaction to the local anesthetic

Is there a risk of bone damage from the procedure? The risk of bone damage is extremely low. The needles used are specifically designed to minimize any risk to the bone structure.

Interpreting Bone Marrow Test Results

After the procedure, the collected samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. A pathologist examines the samples under a microscope to evaluate the bone marrow cells and structure.

What the Results Can Show

Bone marrow test results can provide information about:

• The presence of abnormal cells, such as cancer cells
• The number and types of blood-forming cells
• The overall health and function of the bone marrow
• The presence of iron stores in the bone marrow

How long does it take to get bone marrow test results? Results are typically available within 1 to 2 weeks, although this can vary depending on the specific tests being performed.

Preparing for a Bone Marrow Test

Proper preparation can help ensure a smooth procedure and accurate results.

Before the Test

To prepare for a bone marrow test:

• Inform your doctor about any medications or supplements you’re taking
• Discuss any allergies, especially to local anesthetics
• Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure
• Follow any specific instructions provided by your healthcare team

On the Day of the Test

On the day of your bone marrow test:

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing
• Eat normally unless instructed otherwise
• Arrive at the hospital or clinic as directed

Should you fast before a bone marrow test? In most cases, fasting is not required for a bone marrow test. However, always follow the specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider.

Alternatives and Complementary Tests

While bone marrow tests provide unique and valuable information, they are often used in conjunction with other diagnostic tools.

Related Blood Tests

Other tests that may be performed alongside or instead of a bone marrow test include:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Peripheral blood smear
• Flow cytometry
• Genetic testing of blood cells

Imaging Studies

In some cases, imaging studies may be used to complement bone marrow tests:

• X-rays
• CT scans
• MRI scans
• PET scans

Can imaging studies replace bone marrow tests? While imaging studies can provide valuable information, they cannot directly examine bone marrow cells at a microscopic level. Therefore, they often complement rather than replace bone marrow tests.

Bone marrow tests play a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring various blood disorders and cancers. By providing a direct look at the cells within the bone marrow, these tests offer invaluable information that helps guide treatment decisions and assess patient outcomes. While the procedure may cause some discomfort, it is generally safe and well-tolerated by most patients. As medical technology advances, we may see new, less invasive methods for examining bone marrow function, but for now, bone marrow aspiration and biopsy remain essential tools in hematology and oncology.

Understanding the purpose, procedure, and potential outcomes of bone marrow tests can help patients feel more prepared and less anxious about undergoing this important diagnostic tool. As always, open communication with your healthcare provider is key to ensuring the best possible experience and outcomes from any medical procedure, including bone marrow tests.

Bone marrow test | Tests and scans

What is a bone marrow test?

A bone marrow test is a way of testing cells from your bone marrow. Bone marrow is the spongy tissue inside your bones that makes blood cells.

Why do I need it?

To find out whether there are any cancer cells in the bone marrow. You might also have one to check whether treatment is working.

How do you have it and how long does it take?

You have a local anaesthetic injection to numb a small area on your hip. The doctor puts a needle into your hip to suck out some bone marrow. The test takes about 30 minutes. You should get your results within 1 or 2 weeks.

Are there any side effects?

Possible side effects can include bruising, bleeding, pain, infection or tingling in the legs.

You have a bone marrow test to check whether there are cancer cells in your bone marrow. Bone marrow is spongy tissue and fluid that is inside your bones. It makes your blood cells. Depending on your cancer type, this test can also check how well your treatment is working. 

A doctor or specialist nurse removes a sample of bone marrow cells or an area of bone marrow in one piece. This is usually from your hip. A specialist doctor can then look at the cells or tissue under a microscope.

You usually have the test in the outpatient department of the hospital. But you may have this on the ward if you are staying overnight in hospital (inpatient).

You’re usually awake for the test. You have a local anaesthetic to numb the area. Some people have medicine to make them drowsy (sedation).

Why might you have a bone marrow test?

Bone marrow tests are usually done for cancers that are most likely to affect the bone marrow, such as:

• lymphomas
• leukaemia’s
• myeloma

But it can be done for any type of cancer. This is usually if your doctor thinks your bone marrow could contain cancer cells, or they need to rule this out for any reason.

Types of biopsy

There are 2 main types of bone marrow test: 

• bone marrow aspiration
• bone marrow trephine biopsy

Aspiration means the doctor or nurse draws some liquid bone marrow up into a syringe.

A bone marrow trephine biopsy means they remove a very thin 1 or 2cm long core of bone marrow in one piece.

You usually have both of these tests done at the same time. They give some of the same information to the doctor, but there are differences. The bone marrow trephine shows the structure of the bone marrow inside the bone, whereas the aspiration takes just the bone marrow cells.

What happens

Your doctor will give you information about the procedure and asks you to sign a consent form. This is a good time to ask any questions you have.

You might need to change into a hospital gown. You can usually keep your underwear on.

You lie on your side with your knees tucked up into your chest.

Your doctor or nurse cleans the area with some antiseptic fluid. This can feel cold.

You’ll then have an injection into the skin over the biopsy site (local anaesthetic) to numb the area. They then put a thin needle through the skin into the hip bone. This might be uncomfortable for some, but this only lasts a short time.

Your doctor or nurse draws a small amount of liquid bone marrow into the needle, using a syringe. You might feel a pulling sensation when they start drawing the bone marrow cells out. 

They take this needle out and put the second one in if you are having a trephine biopsy. The aim is to get a small amount of marrow out in one piece.

The whole test takes around 30 minutes.

Take a look at this 2 minute video about having a bone marrow test. 

Transcript

What to expect when you have a bone marrow test

Your bone marrow is the spongy substance in the centre of the bones where the blood cells are made.

You may have a bone marrow test if you have a cancer which affects the bone marrow such as leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma. if your doctor thinks your bone marrow may contain cancer cells that have spread from another type of cancer or you have a non-cancerous condition.

There are two types of tests. A bone marrow aspiration which takes some bone marrow cells and a bone marrow biopsy which takes samples of the bone marrow and gives more information about its structure.

Usually your doctor takes the sample from the back of your hip bone but you can have a bone marrow aspiration from your breast bone.

You have the test lying on a couch. You may have a sedative beforehand to make you sleepy. The doctor then injects some local anaesthetic to numb the area.

For a bone marrow aspiration they put a needle through your skin and into your bone. Then using a syringe they draw out some liquid bone marrow. You may feel a pulling sensation as they do this.

For a biopsy your doctor uses a slightly bigger needle to take the sample of bone marrow. They turn and push this needle to get the sample. This can be painful as the needle goes in but it doesn’t last for long.

You usually go home about half an hour after the test. If you had sedation you need to wait until you are fully awake. This can take a few hours.

Afterwards your hip will ache for a few days. Taking painkillers helps.

You may also have some bruising. Rarely you may have some slight bleeding from the site. Press on it if you do and if it doesn’t stop contact the hospital.

There is a small risk of infection. Tell your doctor if you have a temperature or the biopsy area becomes red and sore.

You may have some tingling in your leg which will also wear off with time.

Sedation

Some people prefer to have some type of sedative before the test so that they are a bit drowsy. Some hospitals may use gas and air (Entonox) to help relax you instead of sedation.

Children and teenagers often have sedation for this type of test.

We have a children’s cancer section where you can find out about this test if your child has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).  

After your bone marrow test

You usually go home the same day if you’re feeling well enough.

You have a dressing over the site, which you should keep on for 24 hours. If you notice any bleeding apply pressure to the area. If it doesn’t stop, contact the hospital.

After the test, your hip might ache for a couple of days. You may need some mild painkillers such as paracetamol to take at home.

As you’re having sedation you’ll need someone with you so they can take you home and stay with you overnight. Also for 24 hours after you shouldn’t drive, drink alcohol, operate heavy machinery or sign any legally binding documents.

Possible risks from having a bone marrow test

A bone marrow test is very safe and any risks are small. 

During the procedure there is a very small risk of damage to nearby structures, but this is very rare.  

Bleeding

It’s not unusual to have a small amount of bleeding from the area where the needle went in. If you notice any heavy bleeding, apply pressure to the area. If it doesn’t stop, contact the hospital.

Bruising

Sometimes blood leaks out of the vein and collects under your skin. This can look like a small dark swelling under the skin (haematoma). Pressing hard once the needle is removed can help.

Infection

There is a small risk of getting an infection in the wound. Tell your doctor if you have a temperature or if the area becomes red and sore. 

Pain

Some people feel uncomfortable and have pain after the local anaesthetic has worn off. Your nurse will tell you what painkillers to take. If you have severe pain or it’s getting worse then you should contact the hospital.

Tingling in your leg

You may have some tingling in your leg which wears off with time.

Getting your results

Your bone marrow test is looked at in the laboratory. The time it takes to receive results depends on the which tests are being done on the bone marrow samples.

Basic results can be available as soon as 24 to 48 hours. Whereas if for example you’re having genetic tests on your bone marrow samples, these results can take a couple of weeks. You won’t get any results at the time of having a bone marrow taken. It’s best to ask your doctor or nurse how long it will take to get them.

Waiting for test results can make you anxious. You might have the contact details of a specialist nurse. You can contact them for information and support if you need to. It may also help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you feel. 

For support and information, you can call the Cancer Research UK nurses on freephone 0808 800 4040. The lines are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

More information

We have more information on tests, treatment and support if you have been diagnosed with cancer.

• Hoffbrand’s Essential Haematology (8th Edition)
  AV Hoffbrand and D P Steensma
  Wiley Blackwell, 2019

• The Royal Marsden Manuel of Clinical Nursing Procedures, Professional Edition (10th Edition)
  S Lister, J Hofland and H Grafton
  Wiley Blackwell, June 2020

• Tissue pathways for lymph node, spleen and bone marrow trephine biopsy specimens
  The Royal College of Pathologists, November 2017

• ICSH guidelines for the standardization of bone marrow immunohistochemistry
  E E Torlakovic and others
  International Journal Of Laboratory Hematology, 2015. Volume 37, Pages 431 to 449

• European recommendations and quality assurance for cytogenomic analysis of haematological neoplasms
  KA Rock and others
  Leukaemia, 2019. Volume 33, Issue 19, Pages 1851 to 1867

• The information on this page is based on literature searches and specialist checking. We used many references and there are too many to list here. Please contact [email protected] with details of the particular issue you are interested in if you need additional references for this information. 

Last reviewed: 

26 Jul 2022

Next review due: 

26 Jul 2025

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Bone Marrow Tests: MedlinePlus Medical Test

What Are Bone Marrow Tests?

Bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue found in the center of most bones. Bone marrow makes different types of blood cells, including:

• Red blood cells (also called erythrocytes), which carry oxygen from your lungs to every cell in your body
• White blood cells (also called leukocytes), which help you fight infections
• Platelets, which help with blood clotting

Bone marrow tests check to see if your bone marrow is working correctly and making normal amounts of blood cells. The tests can help diagnose and monitor bone marrow disorders, blood disorders, and certain types of cancer.

There are two types of procedures used to collect bone marrow samples for testing:

• Bone marrow aspiration removes a small amount of bone marrow fluid and cells
• Bone marrow biopsy removes a small piece of bone and bone marrow

Bone marrow aspiration and bone marrow biopsy are usually done at the same time.

Other names: bone marrow examination

What are they used for?

Bone marrow tests are used to:

• Find out the cause of problems with red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets
• Diagnose and monitor blood disorders, such as:
  • Anemia (when the cause is unknown)
  • Polycythemia vera
  • Thrombocytopenia
• Diagnose bone marrow disorders
• Diagnose and monitor treatment for certain types of cancers, including leukemia, multiple myeloma, and lymphoma
• Diagnose the cause of an unexplained fever, which could be from an infection in the bone marrow

Why do I need a bone marrow test?

Your health care provider may order a bone marrow aspiration and a bone marrow biopsy if other blood tests show your levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, or platelets are not normal.

Too many or too few blood cells may mean you have a medical condition, such as cancer that starts in your blood or bone marrow. If you are being treated for another type of cancer, these tests can find out if the cancer has spread to your bone marrow.

Bone marrow tests may also be used to see how well cancer treatment is working.

What happens during a bone marrow test?

Bone marrow aspiration and bone marrow biopsy procedures are usually done at the same time. A health care provider will collect the marrow samples for testing. Usually, the samples can be collected in about ten minutes.

Before the procedure, you may be asked to put on a hospital gown. Your blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature will be checked.

You may choose to have a mild sedative, which is medicine to help you relax. You may also have the choice to use stronger medicine that will make you sleep. Your provider can help you decide which option is best for you.

During the procedure:

• You’ll lie down on your side or your stomach, depending on which bone will be used to get the samples. Most bone marrow samples are taken from the back of the hip bone, called the iliac crest. But other bones may be used.
• An area of skin over the bone will be cleaned with an antiseptic.
• You will get an injection (shot) of medicine to numb the skin and the bone underneath. It may sting.
• When the area is numb, the provider will make a very small incision (cut) in your skin and insert a hollow needle. You will need to lie very still during the procedure:
  • The bone marrow aspiration is usually done first. The provider will push the needle into the bone and use a syringe attached to the needle to pull out bone marrow fluid and cells. You may feel a brief, sharp pain. The aspiration takes only a few minutes.
  • The bone marrow biopsy uses a special hollow biopsy needle inserted through the same skin opening. The provider will twist the needle into the bone to take out a small piece, or core, of bone marrow tissue. You may feel some pressure or brief pain while the sample is being taken.
• After the test, the health care provider will cover your skin with a bandage.
• If you didn’t use medicine to relax or sleep, you’ll usually need to stay lying down for about 15 minutes to make sure that the bleeding has stopped. Afterwards, you can do your usual activities as soon as you are able. If you used medicine to relax or sleep, you’ll need to stay longer before you can go home. You may also need to rest the next day.

Will I need to do anything to prepare for the test?

Your provider will tell you whether you need to fast (not eat or drink) for a few hours before the procedure.

Plan to have someone take you home after the test, because you may be drowsy if you are given medicine to help you relax or sleep during the procedure.

You’ll receive instructions for how to prepare, but be sure to ask your provider any questions you have about the procedure.

Are there any risks to the test?

After a bone marrow aspiration and bone marrow biopsy you may feel stiff or sore where the sample was taken. This usually goes away in a few days.

Your provider may recommend or prescribe a pain reliever to help. Don’t take any pain medicine your provider hasn’t approved. Certain pain relievers, such as aspirin, could increase your risk of bleeding.

Serious symptoms are very rare, but may include:

• Increased pain or discomfort where the sample was taken
• Redness, swelling, bleeding, or other fluids leaking from at the site
• Fever

If you have any of these symptoms, call your provider.

What do the results mean?

It may take several days or even weeks to get your bone marrow test results. Your provider may have ordered many different types of tests on your marrow sample, so the results often include a lot of complex information. Your provider can explain what your results mean.

In certain cases, if your test results are not normal, you may need to have more tests to confirm a diagnosis or to decide which treatment would be best.

If you have cancer that affects your bones and marrow, your test results may provide information about your cancer stage, which is how much cancer you have in your body and how fast it may be growing.

If you are already being treated for cancer, your test results may show:

• How well your treatment is working
• Whether your treatment is affecting your bone marrow

Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results.

References

1. American Society of Hematology [Internet]. Washington D.C.: American Society of Hematology; c2022. Hematology Glossary; [cited 2022 Apr 12]; [about 5 screens]. Available from: https://www.hematology.org/education/patients/blood-basics/hematology-glossary
2. Hinkle J, Cheever K. Brunner & Suddarth’s Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests. 2nd Ed, Kindle. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; c2014. Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy; 99–100 p.
3. Leukemia & Lymphoma Society [Internet]. Rye Brook (NY): Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; c2015. Bone Marrow Tests; [cited 2022 Apr 12]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: https://www.lls.org/managing-your-cancer/lab-and-imaging-tests/bone-marrow-tests
4. Mayo Clinic [Internet]. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; c1998–2022. Tests and Procedures: Bone marrow biopsy and aspirations; [cited 2022 Apr 12]; [about 8 screens]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-biopsy/about/pac-20393117
5. Merck Manual Consumer Version [Internet]. Kenilworth (NJ): Merck & Co., Inc.; c2022. Bone Marrow Examination; [reviewed 2021 Jun; cited 2022 Apr 12]; [about 2 screens]. Available from: http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/blood-disorders/symptoms-and-diagnosis-of-blood-disorders/bone-marrow-examination
6. National Cancer Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms: bone marrow aspiration and biopsy [cited 2022 Apr 12]; [about 1 screens]. Available from: https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/bone-marrow-aspiration-and-biopsy
7. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Bone Marrow Tests [updated 2022 Mar 24; cited 2022 Apr 12]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/blood-tests
8. Rindy LJ, Chambers AR. Bone Marrow Aspiration And Biopsy. [Updated 2021 Jul 25; cited 2022 Apr 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559232/
9. Testing.com [Internet]. Seattle (WA): OneCare Media; c2022. Bone Marrow Aspiration and Biopsy; [modified 2021 Jan 28; cited 2022 Apr 12; [about 10 screens]. Available from: https://www.testing.com/tests/bone-marrow-aspiration-and-biopsy/
10. University of Rochester Medical Center [Internet]. Rochester (NY): University of Rochester Medical Center; c2022. Health Encyclopedia: Bone Marrow Biopsy; [cited 2022 Apr 12]; [about 7 screens]. Available from: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=92&contentid=P07679
11. UW Health [Internet]. Madison (WI): University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics Authority; c2017. Health Facts: Bone Marrow Biopsy; [updated 2019 Oct; cited 2022 Apr 12]; [about 3 screens]. Available from: https://patient.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/4458

Bone marrow cancer – symptoms, treatments, prevention and diagnosis

The bone marrow is considered a special organ in the human body responsible for creating new blood cells that replace already dead cells. Factors of the internal environment can influence these cells, as a result of which they can develop in different directions.

Experts believe that bone marrow cancer is an incorrect name for the disease. However, it is this term that describes all diseases that are characterized by the growth of a malignant tumor in the cells of the bone marrow.

Among these diseases are:

• melanoma. Melanoma is a malignant tumor that begins its growth in plasma cells;
• leukemia. This disease, namely neoplasms that appear in the hematopoietic system, are the most common malignant problems of the bone marrow;
• lymphomas. Lymphomas arise in the lymphatic tissue and are malignant neoplasms. Lymphomas first affect the lymph nodes, but in rare cases they can begin to manifest themselves immediately in the tissues of the bone marrow. Usually, a malignant tumor begins to affect the bone marrow only at the beginning of the fourth stage of the disease.

Causes

The most common cause of bone marrow cancer is a mutation in stem cells. In fact, mutations in the human body occur regularly, but there are special mechanisms that can correct errors or kill mutated cells.

When a person begins to develop oncology, in particular cancer of the bone marrow, these mechanisms cease to work, as the cells mutate in large numbers, as a result of which the body ceases to perceive them as foreign. Ultimately, cancer cells crowd out healthy, unmutated cells. For the development of cancer, mutations are necessary in previously mutated cells or malfunctions in the immune system of the human body, since various pathologies can occur due to this.

Who can get bone marrow cancer?

There are quite a few risk groups for those who can get bone marrow cancer. These are persons whose closest relatives suffered from a form of bone marrow cancer. Also people who have immunodeficiency.

Some people have diseases that are called predisposed to bone marrow cancer, including monoclonal gammopathy, as well as mononucleosis. Patients who take drug therapy aimed at fighting the tumor are also at risk of developing bone marrow cancer.

Symptoms and signs of bone marrow cancer

If a person has myeloma, they will experience bone pain. Most often, such pain does not appear in one place. They migrate. Also, pain is usually felt during movement. As time goes by, the pain will get worse, eventually it can become unbearable. There is a chance that the patient will remain immobilized.

Also, one of the signs of myeloma is the melting of bone tissue, that is, the level of calcium in the human body will be greatly exceeded, the person will constantly feel nausea, consciousness will be disturbed. In the most severe cases, the patient may fall into a coma.

Kidney damage, blurred vision and frequent bleeding are also signs of the oncology of the bone marrow in the human body, namely, myeloma.

Myeloma damages the roots of the spinal nerves, resulting in limb numbness and paralysis.

Symptoms of leukemia are not so pronounced. With leukemia, tumor cells begin to crowd out healthy sprouts of bleeding, as a result, a person begins to suffer from anemia, constant bleeding and immunodeficiency. If a person develops neuroleukemia, then he feels constant headaches, nausea, vomiting.

Diagnosis of bone marrow cancer in the cancer center

In order to detect bone marrow cancer, a comprehensive approach to examination is required. The person is given a history and a physical examination. In this case, the specialist should learn about all the complaints and symptoms that the patient himself feels. The patient is then sent for examination. Myeloma may be suspected after a bone x-ray. Leukemia can be detected by doing a complete blood count.

Diagnosis confirmation

In order to accurately say whether a person has bone marrow oncology, it is necessary to conduct a morphological study of the tumor substrate. To do this, the patient must undergo a puncture or biopsy of the bone marrow.

Oncology center specialists also conduct tests that will clarify the molecular genetic profile of cancer.

All these studies are necessary in order to choose the most accurate and most effective tactics for treating the patient. In addition, the data of analyzes and tests will help to choose the optimal method of chemotherapy.

Where can I get tested?

You can get an examination at the Cancer Center Sofia: 2nd Tverskoy-Yamskoy pereulok, 10. Our specialists are ready to examine all patients with professionalism and accuracy, as well as to begin treatment in case of a disease.

Bone marrow cancer treatment

In most cases, bone marrow cancer cannot be completely cured. You can only slow down its development and prolong the patient’s life, since this disease is systemic, and the tumor mass with blood spreads throughout the body.

It should be noted that in bone marrow oncology there is a huge amount of tumor mass in the human body. If we are talking about a radical treatment of a disease, then we will have to act on the body systemically, which is impossible without immunotherapy, chemotherapy and targeted therapy.

The treatment regimen is determined by doctors depending on the type of cancer.

Leukemia treatment system

When leukemia is diagnosed, remission induction is first performed, that is, the person is treated with chemotherapy, since the goal is to destroy as many cancer cells as possible. The human body is experiencing serious negative effects of tumor decay products and chemotherapy components. This shows a lot of side effects.

Consolidation therapy is the second stage of treatment. With the help of chemotherapy, it is impossible to get rid of all brain cancer cells, since some of them are dormant in the early stages, that is, these cells wake up later and begin to activate the re-growth of the tumor, so such therapy is simply necessary.

Reinduction of remission is an exact copy of induction therapy, at this stage the destruction of cells continues. The last step is maintenance therapy, which is designed to destroy the remaining malignant cells.

Chemotherapy

Chemotherapy is most often used in combination with radiation therapy. At the same time, the patient must take hormonal drugs to improve the condition of the blood and the whole body, since chemotherapy has a strong effect on the body.

A person’s hair may fall out and their health may deteriorate dramatically. Also, doctors prescribe the use of drugs that are designed to fight the destruction of bone tissue in the body. Membrane plasmapheresis is a procedure that I prescribe in order to prolong the life of the patient.

Surgical treatment

In surgery, which is the most effective treatment for bone marrow cancer, specialists perform a bone marrow transplant. This procedure is complicated by the fact that it is extremely difficult to find a donor for transplantation, since the body can reject the new bone marrow.

This procedure is also quite expensive. Most often, the closest relatives are suitable as donors. Surgical intervention is refused when the patient is in serious condition or the organs are affected by distant metastases.

Predictions

The prognosis of human survival in bone marrow cancer depends on the type of tumor. With acute leukemia, a person can live without a relapse for five years in 80% of cases. The longer the remission lasts, the greater the likelihood of complete remission of the disease, however, with bone marrow cancer, in most cases, a relapse occurs, that is, the patient needs repeated treatment.

Some patients experience multiple relapses. In each case, returning to a state of remission becomes increasingly difficult. However, there have been cases where people recovered even after several relapses.

Myeloma is an incurable disease. Even after a bone marrow transplant within 3-5 years, bone marrow cancer can return. Chronic leukemia is practically not amenable to treatment, they occur with exacerbations and attenuation. Most often, this disease occurs in people whose age is approaching the elderly. In this case, intensive treatment is contraindicated, it remains only to carry out maintenance therapy.

Complications

With the rapid development of bone marrow cancer, healthy cells are replaced by cancer cells at an incredibly fast rate. Blood formation is greatly slowed down, a person suffers from anemia, bleeding and immunodeficiency. Myeloma and leukemia are characterized by severe pain, which can only be relieved with the use of narcotic analgesics.

Relapse

The type of bone marrow cancer determines the likelihood of recurrence. Some forms of leukemia are treatable, that is, a person has the opportunity for a full recovery. Chronic forms of cancer are practically incurable, myeloma is also considered incurable. If standard therapy is used, then relapse should occur after about 29 months. If a tandem transplant has occurred, then the patient can stay in remission for more than 40 months.

How to make an appointment with a specialist at Sofia Cancer Center?

You can make an appointment with the specialists of the Sofia Cancer Center by calling +7(495)995-00-33 or using the form on the website. Address: 10, 2nd Tverskoy-Yamskoy lane. After receiving the results, doctors will determine the extent of the spread of cancer and prescribe the best treatment option. Note that our specialists take into account not only the type of disease, but also the individual characteristics of the human body.

Bone marrow cancer: symptoms and manifestations in an adult, how long they live, treatment of a bone marrow tumor

The bone marrow is a special organ whose main function is hematopoiesis – the creation of new blood cells instead of dying ones. It is located inside the lamellar and spongy bones. In adults, the bone marrow contains the largest number of undifferentiated (immature) cells (stem). Under the influence of internal environmental factors, they can develop into any germ of hematopoiesis (hematopoiesis).

The term “bone marrow cancer” is incorrect. However, under it, patients, as a rule, understand a malignant tumor that grows from bone marrow cells. So what is the name of bone marrow cancer right? This is a whole group of diseases, each has its own name:

• Myeloma is a malignant tumor that grows from plasma cells (differentiated B-lymphocytes).
• Leukemias are malignant neoplasms of the hematopoietic system. This is the most extensive and frequently detected group of diseases of this localization.
• Lymphomas are malignant tumors of the lymphatic tissue. Usually, lymphomas debut with the defeat of the lymph nodes, but there are rare cases when the primary foci are found immediately in the bone marrow. Basically, it is affected in stage 4 lymphoma, when the tumor leaves the lymphatic system and begins to spread to extralymphatic organs and tissues.

Causes of bone marrow cancer

The most common causes of so-called bone marrow cancer are mutations in hematopoietic stem cells. It should be noted that mutations in the human body occur every second, but normally there are many mechanisms that correct errors or destroy damaged cells. In cancer, these mechanisms are disrupted and malignantly transformed cells begin to actively divide, colonizing the bone marrow and crowding out healthy cells.

In order for cancer to develop, special circumstances are needed, for example, repeated mutations in already mutated cells, or violations of the immune defense, which does not recognize the pathology in time and skips it.

Who is at risk

• Persons whose immediate blood relatives have had myeloma, leukemia or lymphoma
• Patients with primary and secondary immunodeficiencies.
• Persons exposed to ionizing radiation (undergoing radiation therapy, liquidators of the consequences of the Chernobyl disaster) or chemical carcinogens.
• Persons who have taken or are taking anticancer drug therapy.
• Presence of predisposing diseases — mononucleosis, monoclonal gammopathy.

Symptoms of bone marrow cancer

Symptoms of bone marrow cancer are determined by the type of tumor and its pathogenesis. For example, myeloma is characterized by pain in the bones. At first, they are migratory in nature and intensify with movement. Over time, the symptoms increase, the pain becomes unbearable and can even completely immobilize the patient.

In addition, in case of bone marrow cancer, symptoms can manifest as follows:

1. Due to the melting of bone tissue, the level of calcium in the blood rises, which leads to the development of symptoms of intoxication, nausea and vomiting, impaired consciousness up to coma.
2. Kidney damage.
3. Blood hyperviscosity syndrome: bleeding, impaired vision and consciousness.
4. Neurological signs of bone marrow cancer: paresis, paralysis, numbness, pain. Develop with damage to the vertebrae and compression of the roots of the spinal nerves.

Symptoms may vary for different bone marrow cancers. Manifestations of leukemia are mainly associated with the displacement of normal hematopoietic sprouts by tumor cells, which leads to the development of anemia, severe immunodeficiencies and bleeding. With the development of neuroleukemia, meningeal symptoms are observed: headache, nausea and vomiting, stiff neck. In the advanced stages of bone marrow cancer, signs include enlarged lymph nodes, spleen, and liver.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of bone marrow cancer requires a comprehensive approach. The first point is the collection of an anamnesis with an assessment of existing complaints and a physical examination. Next, the patient is sent for examination. Myeloma can be suspected on the basis of a bone x-ray, leukemia – on a general blood test.

To confirm the diagnosis of a bone marrow tumor, a morphological examination of the tumor substrate is required. For this purpose, a biopsy or puncture of the bone marrow is performed. In addition, additional tests are carried out to clarify the molecular genetic profile of cancer. This is necessary to determine the tactics of treatment and select the optimal method of chemotherapy.

Treatment

In the vast majority of cases, so-called bone marrow cancer is a systemic disease with a large tumor mass spread throughout the body. Therefore, radical treatment requires a systemic effect on the body, which is achieved with the help of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapy.

The treatment regimen will be determined by the type of cancer. For example, in leukemia, therapy is carried out in several stages:

1. Remission induction. At this stage, the goal is to destroy as many cancer cells as possible, so powerful multicomponent chemotherapy regimens are used. At the same time, the body has a toxic effect from two sides – the direct effect of chemotherapeutic drugs plus the effect of tumor decay products.
2. Consolidation of remission. Induction drugs, no matter how powerful they are, cannot destroy all cancer cells in one course, because some of them are in an inactive state and “wake up” after some time, giving the second onset of a tumor. To destroy them, consolidation therapy is carried out.
3. Reinduction of remission. This is a repetition of the course of induction therapy in order to completely destroy the remaining cancer cells.
4. Maintenance therapy. This is the last step. Its goal is to destroy the remaining malignant cells. For this, long courses of cytostatic drugs in low doses are prescribed.

In highly malignant forms of bone marrow cancer (myelomas, aggressive forms of leukemia, relapses of the disease), a powerful high-dose chemotherapy is carried out, which allows to overcome the resistance of the tumor. However, it has a powerful destructive effect on the bone marrow, leaving the patient virtually without hematopoiesis. To overcome this complication, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is performed, which will subsequently serve as the basis for the restoration of hematopoiesis.

Stem cells can be taken from the patient at the stage of consolidation of remission, or from a donor. In the latter case, a new clone of leukocytes will have an antitumor effect on possible remaining cancer cells. Thus, the therapeutic effect will be enhanced. However, allogeneic transplants can lead to the development of such a formidable complication as graft-versus-host disease, which in severe cases can lead to the death of the recipient.

Allogeneic transplantation is not indicated for all patients. They are recommended, for example, in the treatment of myeloma. Some of these patients are eligible for double or tandem transplantation, in which two stem cell transplants are performed.

Features of the disease in pregnant women and the elderly

Bone marrow cancer is more unfavorable in the elderly. This is due to the presence of concomitant pathology and the presence of restrictions in the use of high-dose chemotherapy, which could potentially lead to a stable remission. For example, in myeloma patients over 65 years of age, double stem cell transplantation is not performed due to the high risks of mortality.

For pregnancy, it is recommended to use reliable contraception for at least 2 years after achieving remission. If the disease was first diagnosed during pregnancy, then the tactics are chosen individually, taking into account the gestational age and type of tumor. Patients in the first trimester of pregnancy are advised to interrupt and immediately start chemotherapy. With sluggish forms of leukemia, expectant management is possible. Starting from the second trimester of pregnancy, there is the possibility of chemotherapy treatment with drugs that do not adversely affect the fetus. A few weeks before delivery, therapy is suspended so that the bone marrow has time to recover. The method of delivery is chosen based on the obstetric situation.

If bone marrow cancer is diagnosed at the end of the third trimester, early delivery is possible followed by a full course of chemotherapy.

Complications

With the progression of the disease and the ineffectiveness of therapy, the bone marrow is completely replaced by cancer cells. This radically inhibits hematopoiesis and leads to severe anemia, immunodeficiencies, thrombocytopenia with bleeding. Also, for many types of leukemia and myeloma, an increase in pain syndrome is characteristic, which requires the use of narcotic analgesics.

Relapse

The likelihood of recurrence depends on the type of cancer. For example, most forms of acute leukemia respond well to therapy and offer a high chance of a complete cure. Chronic leukemias are prone to a slow course, but are very difficult to cure. Myeloma is also one of the incurable forms of bone marrow cancer. The time to recurrence with standard therapy is about 29 months, and with tandem transplantation – about 42 months.

With the development of relapse, the treatment tactics are determined depending on the period of relapse-free survival. Generally, if more than 6-12 months have passed, first-line chemotherapy regimens can be used. At shorter periods, the tactics are changed and drugs of the second and subsequent lines of therapy are prescribed, to which the cancer has not yet developed resistance.

Prognosis and prevention of bone marrow cancer

The prognosis for bone marrow cancer depends on the type of tumor. For example, in acute leukemia, the five-year relapse-free survival ranges from 80%. At the same time, the more time has passed since the onset of remission, the more likely it is that the disease has completely receded. But at any time, a relapse can develop – a return of the disease, which will require repeated treatment. In some patients, there may be several such relapses, and it is more difficult to achieve remission each time, but this does not mean that it is impossible. In some patients, even after several relapses, recovery can be achieved.

As for chronic leukemias, they are very difficult to cure, but they last for a long time with periods of exacerbation and attenuation. Considering that in most cases they develop in older people, radical treatment may be contraindicated due to the presence of concomitant pathology. In these cases, supportive therapy is prescribed.

Myeloma is also classified as an incurable pathology. Even with a successful response to a double stem cell transplant, the likelihood of recurrence in the next 3-4 years remains very high.

The question of how long people live with bone marrow cancer cannot be answered unequivocally, and even more so, general statistics should not be applied to a single patient. Only the attending physician can judge the prognosis. He will tell you how long they live with bone marrow cancer with a specific diagnosis, stage and course, what result is expected from treatment.

There are currently no methods to prevent bone marrow cancer.