Introduction to Bone Marrow Biopsy

A bone marrow biopsy is a medical procedure used to collect a sample of bone marrow for examination. Bone marrow, the spongy tissue found inside bones, is crucial for the production of blood cells – including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The biopsy procedure involves inserting a special needle into the bone (often the hipbone) to extract a small amount of bone marrow. Before the biopsy, a cancer doctor in Bangalore is usually administered to numb the area, reducing discomfort during the procedure. Bone marrow biopsies play a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring various medical conditions related to blood cell production. The best oncologist in Bangalore provides valuable information that aids healthcare professionals in determining appropriate treatment plans and understanding the health of a patient’s bone marrow.

Purpose of Bone Marrow Biopsies

There are several reasons why the best oncologist in Bangalore may order a bone marrow biopsy:

Diagnose cancers such as leukaemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma – These cancers originate in the bone marrow and a biopsy can confirm the diagnosis and classify the specific type of blood cancer. It also helps determine the extent of cancer spread.

Evaluate blood disorders – Disorders like unexplained anaemia, unexplained weakness and fatigue, and abnormal white blood cell counts can be evaluated via bone marrow biopsy. It helps understand the underlying cause and guide treatment.

Monitor treatment response – In the case of leukaemia and other marrow cancers, periodic bone marrow biopsies are done during chemotherapy or other treatments to see if the therapy is eliminating the abnormal cells effectively.

Identify infection – Certain infections, such as tuberculosis, can at times spread to the bone marrow. A bone marrow biopsy can detect granulomas that provide evidence of infection.

Preparation for Bone Marrow Biopsy

Since it is an invasive test involving a needle insertion through the skin into the bone, some preparation is required:

No eating or drinking for 4-6 hours before the test
Blood tests may be required beforehand to check clotting time and cell counts
Inform the doctor about any bleeding disorders, allergies or medical conditions
Arrange for someone to drive you home post-procedure
Blood thinning or anticoagulant medications may need to be stopped for 1-7 days before biopsy as per doctor’s advise

The Procedure of Bone marrow biopsy

Bone marrow biopsies are typically done as an outpatient procedure. HCG Hospital Bangalore provides the best procedure for bone marrow biopsy and it includes the following steps:

The site of the hip bone is identified and cleaned. Local anesthesia is injected which numbs the area.
A special hollow needle is pushed through the skin into the bone. Patients may feel some pressure and discomfort at this point.
Small pieces of bone marrow tissue are suctioned into the needle and sent for examination. Several samples may be collected.
Pressure is applied to the site to stop any minor bleeding. A small bandage is placed.

The actual needle insertion takes only a few minutes. Collecting the bone marrow samples may take about 10-15 minutes.

Post Bone Marrow Biopsy Care

Aftereffects may include:

Mild to moderate pain at the biopsy site for a few days, relieved by pain medications
A bruise or hematoma may form which resolves slowly over a couple of weeks
Infection is rare but precautions should be taken
Strenuous exercise and heavy lifting should be avoided for 1-2 weeks

Patients can resume most normal activities within 1-3 days but some soreness in the area may persist for longer. Serious risks like severe bleeding are very uncommon. Any concerning symptoms should prompt urgent medical care.

Abnormal Results

An abnormal biopsy reports the presence of cancerous cells, or blood disorders involving reduced normal cells or cell maturation problems. Findings could show:

Acute or chronic leukaemia
Multiple myeloma
Lymphomas like Hodgkin’s or Non-Hodgkin’s
Myelodysplastic syndromes disrupting cell production
Myelofibrosis causes extensive scarring
Infections like tuberculosis

The pathology report indicates the specifics – the type of disorder, cells impacted, disease aggressiveness and percentage of abnormal cells compared to healthy ones. This assists doctors in confirming the diagnosis, staging cancers precisely and enabling appropriate medical care.

In Conclusion

Though it involves a mildly invasive procedure and some temporary discomfort, a bone marrow biopsy plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis and management of various blood-related cancers and diseases. When done for the right indications, it provides vital information to haematologists and oncologists that allows accurate diagnosis and delivery of optimal patient care.

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