Why do I need a bone marrow biopsy?
A bone marrow biopsy gives your care team a close look at the cells your bone marrow is making. Other tests cannot show that. It matters most for finding blood cancers, such as leukemias and lymphomas, because those cancers affect the cells the marrow makes.
To get a sample, a needle draws out tissue or fluid. Drawing out fluid is called a bone marrow aspiration. A pathologist then studies the sample. It is often checked further with tests called cytogenetic analysis and immunophenotyping. These tests look at the chromosomes inside the cells and the markers on their surface. That detail helps your doctor reach an accurate diagnosis.
If your doctor has recommended this test, it is because marrow shows things that blood tests or imaging alone cannot. Ask your doctor what they are looking for in your biopsy.
Want the full picture? Read our complete explanation: What to Expect During a Bone Marrow Biopsy
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