PURPOSE
(When is the procedure required?)

S.no   1. Bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow aspiration offer detailed information about the condition of your bone marrow and blood cells. Your doctor may order a bone marrow exam if blood tests, such as cell counts, are abnormal or don't provide enough information about a suspected problem. Examining bone marrow gives a detailed picture of the types, amount and condition of forming blood cells.

Your doctor may perform a bone marrow exam to: S.no   1. Diagnose a disease or condition involving the bone marrow or blood cells 2. Determine the stage or progression of a disease 3. Check iron levels and metabolism 4. Monitor treatment of a disease

EXPECTATION
(How is it done? What to expect before, during, and after the procedure?)

S.no   1. Although you can often return to your normal activities after a bone marrow exam, avoid rigorous activity or exercise for a day or two. This will help minimize bleeding and discomfort.

After the test S.no   1. A bone marrow biopsy and aspiration can be done in a hospital, a clinic or a doctor's office. The procedures are usually done by a doctor who is a specialist in blood disorders (hematologist) or a cancer specialist (oncologist), by a nurse, or by a specially trained technologist. 2. The bone marrow exam typically takes about 30 minutes. If you receive intravenous (IV) sedation, extra time is needed for preparation and post-procedure care.

PREPARATION
( How to prepare for the procedure? What arrangements to be done? )

Bone marrow exams are often performed on an outpatient basis, and special preparation usually isn't needed. In preparation for your bone marrow biopsy and aspiration, you may want to: S.no   1. Tell your doctor about medications and supplements you take. Certain medications and supplements may increase your risk of bleeding after a bone marrow biopsy and aspiration. Make a list of the medications and supplements you take and discuss the list with your doctor. 2. Tell your doctor if you're nervous about your procedure. Just knowing that you're going to have a bone marrow exam can cause some anxiety and stress. Keep in mind that bone marrow exams aren't always painful, and they're over with quickly. If you're feeling anxious or worried, talk to your health care team. Your doctor may give you a sedative medication before your aspiration and biopsy, in addition to a numbing agent (local anesthesia) at the site where the needle is inserted.

RESULT
(What is the impact of the procedure on the health and day to day life.)

S.no   1. The bone marrow samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. Your doctor generally gives you the results within a few days, but it may take longer. Ask your doctor when you can expect to receive the results of your bone marrow exam. 2. At the lab, a pathologist or hematologist will evaluate the marrow samples to check the health of the marrow, to see if it's making enough healthy blood cells and to look for abnormal cells. Most of the time, the information can help your doctor confirm or rule out a diagnosis or find out how advanced a disease is or if treatment is working. In some cases, you may need follow-up tests.