How does a bone marrow aspiration and/or biopsy compare with a bone marrow collection for donation?
The collection process is similar, but the bone marrow donor goes through a physical, and has blood tests done prior to the collection to make sure that he is healthy and that his sample will be compatible with the person to whom the marrow will be donated. The donor is usually put under general anesthesia during the collection because a larger amount of marrow must be obtained under sterile conditions. The sample is then processed, filtered and given to the transplant recipient through a vein. The stem cells in the donor sample travel through the blood stream to the marrow and if all goes right, begin to create RBCs, WBCs, and platelets.
