What is a bone marrow aspirate or bone marrow biopsy?
The bone marrow is soft, sponge-like tissue inside the bones that produces white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. Bone marrow aspirations or biopsies are tests that take a sample of the bone marrow. An aspiration removes a small sample of blood-like fluid. A biopsy breaks off a small piece of the bone marrow tissue. What information will it give my doctors? A bone marrow aspirate or biopsy will provide information about the cells in your bone marrow. It will show if there are cancer cells in the bone marrow. It will also show if normal cells are beginning to regrow after treatment. What should my health care professional know before I have this test/procedure done? • Tell your doctor or nurse if you have an allergy to Betadine®, iodine, or shellfish • Tell your doctor or nurse if you have an allergy to local anesthetics Where is this done? The bone marrow aspirate or biopsy may be done in your hospital room or clinic examination room or procedure room. Sometimes, inpatients
