Bone Marrow Biopsy

What you should know

• A bone marrow biopsy (BEYE-op-see) is a procedure done to remove a small amount of marrow from your bone. Bone marrow is the soft, spongy tissue inside of your larger bones. Bone marrow makes blood cells called platelets, red blood cells (RBCs) and white blood cells (WBCs). Platelets help your blood to clot (stop bleeding). RBCs carry oxygen to your tissues, and WBCs help your body to fight infection. During the biopsy, caregivers use a needle and syringe to draw marrow out of your bone. The bone marrow is usually taken from the hip bone. After the biopsy, caregivers send your bone marrow to a lab for tests.
  
  
• You may need a bone marrow biopsy to find out why you are having problems with your blood cells. You may need the biopsy if you have anemia (not enough red blood cells). You may need a biopsy to learn if you have cancer in your bone marrow. A bone marrow biopsy may also be done to see how you are doing during some cancer treatments. The biopsy results will help caregivers plan the best treatment for you. This procedure may be done in your caregiver's office, in a clinic, or in the hospital.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Risks

There are risks with having a bone marrow biopsy, but the risks are rare. You could bleed too much or get an infection (in-FEK-shun). You may feel pain or discomfort during the procedure. There is a very small chance that an organ or blood vessel could be hurt during the test. If you follow the directions of your caregiver, you are not likely to have problems. Without the bone marrow biopsy, caregivers may not know how to treat your illness. Call your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your medicine or care.

Getting Ready

Before Your Biopsy:

• Bring a list of your medicines or your medicine bottles when you see your caregiver. Tell your caregiver if you take any herbs, food supplements, or over-the-counter medicines, such as laxatives. Tell your caregiver if you have allergies (AL-er-jees) to iodine, shellfish, medicines or other substances. Tell your caregiver if you have bleeding problems.
  
  
• You may need blood tests before your procedure. Talk to your caregiver about these or other tests you may need. Write down the date, time and location for each test.
  
  
• It is normal to feel anxious. Talk to a family member, friend, or caregiver about your feelings. Make sure you understand why you have a biopsy and what will happen during the procedure.
  
  
• Ask caregivers about directions for eating and drinking.
  
  
• If you have diabetes, ask your caregiver for special instructions about what you may eat and drink before your procedure. If you use medicine to treat diabetes, your caregiver may have special instructions about using it before the procedure. You may need to check your blood sugar more often before and after having your procedure.
  
  
• Ask a family member or friend to drive you home after your biopsy.

The Day Of Your Biopsy:

• Write down the correct date, time, and location of your procedure.
  
  
• Ask your caregiver before taking any medicine on the day of biopsy. These medicines include insulin, diabetic pills, high blood pressure pills, or heart pills. Bring a list of your medicines or the pill bottles with you to the hospital. Tell your caregiver if you are taking aspirin or a medicine to thin your blood.
  
  
• Wear loose clothing that can easily be pulled out of the way or removed for the biopsy.
  
  
• You or a close family member may be asked to sign a legal piece of paper (consent form). It gives your caregiver permission to do a bone marrow biopsy. Be sure all your questions have been answered before you sign this form.

Treatment

What Will Happen:

• You may be asked to change into a hospital gown. You may be given medicine to help you relax or make you drowsy. You may lie on your side or stomach if the biopsy is taken from the back of your hip bone. You may lie on your back if the biopsy is taken from the front of the hip bone. Caregivers will use a special soap to clean the biopsy area. They will place clean sheets around the biopsy area. You will get medicine called local anesthesia (an-es-THEE-zah) that will numb (make you lose feeling in) the biopsy area.
  
  
• Your caregiver will put a needle into your tissue and bone until it reaches the marrow. You may feel pressure and discomfort while the needle goes into and removes marrow from your bone. Samples of your marrow will be taken. The biopsy will take about 30 to 45 minutes.

After Your Biopsy:

To stop the bleeding, your caregiver will apply pressure. A bandage will be put on the area to keep it clean. You may be asked to lie on the biopsy area for one hour or more after the biopsy. Do not get out of bed until your caregiver says it is OK.

Waiting Room:

This is a room where your family can wait until you are ready for visitors after your biopsy. Your doctor or nurse will find them in the waiting room to tell them how the biopy went. If your family leaves the hospital, ask them to leave a phone number where they can be reached.

Contact a caregiver if

• You cannot come to your bone marrow biopsy appointment on time.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your bone marrow biopsy.
  
  
• You have a fever.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.