UW Health Bone Marrow Biopsy User Guide
- May 15, 2024
- UW Health
Table of Contents
Bone Marrow Biopsy
User Guide
Health Facts for You
Bone Marrow Biopsy
Bone Marrow Biopsy
Bone Marrow Biopsy
Bone marrow is the soft tissue and liquid inside bone where the blood stem
cells are stored. Blood stem cells turn into red and white blood cells and
platelets. These cells are needed throughout your life. During a bone marrow
biopsy, a sample of bone marrow is drawn up through a needle and studied
under a microscope.
Why a Biopsy is Needed
You may need a bone marrow biopsy if you have an abnormal number of red or
white blood cells or platelets. This test tells your doctor how your cells are
being formed and the number and type of cells present. It also helps to find
blood disorders, some types of anemia, infections, and leukemia. The test can
also tell us about the spread of cancer and how well the cancer treatment is
working.
Getting Ready
- Take your normal medicines on the day of your test. You do not need to stop blood thinners or aspirin.
- Do not eat solids or drink milk for 6 hours before the test. You may drink clear liquids for up to 2 hours before the test, or follow the instructions from your provider.
- You need to have someone drive you home after the test. Wait to drive until the next day.
- Wait to make important decisions until the next day.
How Long is the Procedure
We can collect a marrow sample in less than 10 minutes. We ask you to stay for
at least 15 minutes after the biopsy to watch for bleeding. If you were
sedated (given medicine in your IV for pain or to help you relax), you must
stay 30-60 minutes to recover.
Sample
In most cases we take the marrow sample from the back hipbone. We can also
take it from other areas too. We will ask you to lie face down with your upper
hip area exposed.
The Procedure
First, your doctor will press gently on your skin on top of the bone being
sampled. Next, we wash and clean the skin. This may feel cold. We place
sterile towels around the area. To decrease pain, your doctor injects a
numbing medicine (anesthetic). You will feel a “stick” from the needle, then
a burning feeling as the doctor injects the medicine. It takes about a minute
to become numb.
Once the area is numb, the doctor makes a small slit into your skin. Next, the
doctor will pass a needle through your skin into the bone. Your doctor puts
slight force on the needle as it enters the bone. You may feel some pressure.
After the needle is in the doctor will attach a syringe. Your doctor pulls
fluid into the syringe. This is also known as bone marrow aspiration. You may
feel a sharp pain, deep inside your bone. This lasts a few seconds. Your nurse
lets you know when the doctor pulls the fluid. Taking deep breaths or using a
relaxation technique may help. Ask your nurse if you would like help with
this.
Through the same spot, the doctor uses a special needle to cut out a tiny
piece of bone, called a core. You may feel pressure and pain as the doctor
turns the needle and takes out the core. This is also known as a bone marrow
biopsy. The doctor removes the needle with the core and applies a bandage or
dressing to the skin.
We will ask you to lie on the biopsy site for at least 15 minutes. We will
check the site for bleeding. We will also check your vital signs and watch you
if you were sedated.
Care After the Test
Keep the dressing or bandage dry and in place for 24 hours. As the numbing
medicine wears off, you may need medicine for pain.
Take_____ for mild pain.
Bleeding is rare but if you notice some bleeding after going home, hold steady
and firm pressure to the site. Call your doctor or nurse if bleeding from the
site doesn’t stop.
Bleeding into your belly is rare. If your pain gets worse in your lower back,
hips, or belly, or you start to feel dizzy or lightheaded, call your doctor
right away.
You may resume most activities. Heavy lifting, jogging, or other strenuous
activities may make the pain last longer.
Results
Your doctor may have some results back within 48-72 hours. Complete results
may take 7 days. Please call the clinic if you have not heard from us after 1
week.
Your health care team may have given you this information as part of your
care. If so, please use it and call if you have any questions. If this
information was not given to you as part of your care, please check with your
doctor. This is not medical advice. This is not to be used for diagnosis or
treatment of any medical condition. Because each person’s health needs are
different, you should talk with your doctor or others on your health care team
when using this information. If you have an emergency, please call 911.
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