A bone marrow test is done to check the fluid and tissue in the bone marrow of a person. The test determines the health and functioning of bones and blood cells. The test allows doctors to determine if cancer or any other health conditions are affecting the marrow or blood cells. The examination of bone marrow also enables doctors to know the cause of a fever of unknown origin. Other than this, the doctor may also order a bone marrow biopsy test to see how far a disease has progressed, monitor treatment, and check the cancer's stage. 

Overview of the Bone Marrow Test

Bone marrow is the soft spongy tissue inside the large bones. It makes most of the blood cells in the body, including white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. The bone marrow test is used to check whether a person’s bone marrow is producing a sufficient number of cells. The examination of bone marrow helps detect and monitor certain conditions, such as blood disorders, bone marrow disorders, and certain types of cancer.

A bone marrow test is helpful for people with blood-related cancers to monitor their therapy, like the effects of chemotherapy. While the bone marrow biopsy is used to test the tissues present in the marrow, a distinct process known as a bone marrow aspiration test is undertaken to see the liquid portion. A bone marrow test can be booked at an affordable cost in any Max Lab across India.

Bone marrow is a soft and spongy tissue found in the bone cavities. The tissue contains cells responsible for producing blood cells and platelets. A bone marrow lab test is done to check the fluid and tissue in the bone marrow of a person. Proper examination of bone marrow helps doctors diagnose abnormal blood cell counts. The test allows doctors to determine if cancer or any other health condition affects the marrow or blood cells. Usually, this test is prescribed if the individual’s blood test reports have any abnormalities. In Hindi, a bone marrow test is called अस्थि मज्जा बायोप्सी.

Why Doctors May Recommend the Bone Marrow Test?

A bone marrow test is used to diagnose different conditions affecting the blood and bone marrow of a person. The doctor may prescribe this test if blood tests have abnormal results or do not provide correct and sufficient details about a suspected problem. Bone marrow test results are effective in the diagnosis of certain health conditions involving too many or too few blood cells.

In addition, the doctor may order a bone marrow test for the following reasons:

• Diagnose a condition or disease that involves the bone marrow or blood cells.
• Check the stage of a disease.
• Monitor the treatment efficiency of a disease.
• Check the iron levels.
• Diagnose the cause of an unexplained fever.
• Diagnose abnormal blood cell counts. 
• Monitor certain blood disorders, such as anaemia, leukaemia, or lymphoma. 
• Check for any infection of the bone marrow. 

A bone marrow density test can also be ordered to evaluate the calcium and other types of minerals present in the bone. One can book the bone marrow test at a reasonable price from Max Lab. The test is performed by experienced doctors at the Max Hospital. 

Preparation Before the Bone Marrow Test

In this process, a doctor or specialist healthcare provider removes a sample of bone marrow cells, usually from hip bones. Later, the sample is checked under a microscope. It is vital to note that a bone marrow test is not a blood test. While a blood test involves taking an individual’s blood sample, a bone marrow test procedure includes taking a bone marrow sample. In Hindi, a bone marrow test is called अस्थि मज्जा टेस्ट. It is a diagnostic procedure that helps examine the fluid and tissue in the marrow under the microscope.

Disclose Medication Information

There is nothing specific a person needs to do before the test. However, it is recommended that the patient inform their doctors about any history of bleeding disorders, medication allergies, or any vitamins or supplements they consume regularly. Certain medications may increase the risk of bleeding or impact the bone marrow test report of the person. Disclosing essential medication information helps the medical practitioner suggest any precautions if required.

Fasting

A person does not need to be fasting for a bone marrow test. This means they can eat and hydrate as usual before a bone marrow test. In case fasting is required, the healthcare provider will further instruct if the person needs to fast (not eat for several hours) before the procedure. 

Consult the Doctor

If a person feels nervous before the bone marrow test procedure, they must discuss their concern with the medical practitioner. The doctor may recommend sedation or a numbing injection before the test, which may help the person relax and be comfortable during the bone marrow test procedure.

What to Expect During the Procedure?

The purpose of a bone marrow test is to analyse the conditions affecting a person’s blood and bone marrow. The procedure for a bone marrow test includes tissue sample collection from the hipbone or breastbone. One can visit the nearest Max Lab centre to give the tissue sample. Here is the process of a bone marrow test: -

• A haematologist or oncologist conducts the bone marrow biopsy test.
• Before the test, the medical practitioner checks the individual’s blood pressure and heart rate. After this, they assess and gauge the appropriate anaesthesia process.
• The person needs to lie on their abdomen for tissue sample collection.
• The haematologist inserts a biopsy needle to collect a cylindrical core sample from the top ridge of the hipbone.
• After the tissue sample is collected, the haematologist cleans the site with an antiseptic and applies a bandage with pressure to heal the site.
• The recovery time may be longer in case the person had IV sedation.
• Usually, the tissue sample collection takes 10 to 20 minutes.

Understanding the Test Results

One can book the bone marrow test at an affordable price on our website. It is an outpatient procedure at Max Hospital conducted by an experienced oncologist or haematologist. It is an outpatient procedure. The sample is sent to an NABL-accredited laboratory for further analysis. The bone marrow test result time can be between a few days to a few weeks. The person’s test results can be in normal or abnormal range. 

Normal Test Results

The meaning of normal bone marrow test results is that the bone marrow contains the right type and number of blood-forming cells, fat cells, and connective tissues.

Abnormal Test Results

If the bone marrow test results are abnormal, the medical practitioner suggests additional tests for disease confirmation and a suitable treatment plan. The abnormal test results may be a result of any of these conditions: 

• White blood cell cancer (leukaemia), cancer of the lymph (lymphoma), and other blood cancers.
• Polycythaemia vera (PV) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). It is a type of blood cancer due to the overproduction of red blood cells (RBCs).
• Thrombocythemia, a blood disorder that occurs when bone marrow produces too many platelets.
• Neuroblastoma is a type of paediatric solid cancer that begins in neuroblasts or immature nerve cells.
• Myelofibrosis (MF) is a rare bone marrow cancer that involves the marrow being replaced by fibrous scar tissue.
• Amyloidosis, a group of diseases that cause the accumulation of abnormal amyloid proteins in tissues and organs.

Bone Marrow Test Results During Special Conditions 

The reason for a bone marrow test during special conditions like pregnancy is to check for abnormalities in the functioning of bones and blood cells. The doctor may recommend this test to a pregnant woman if she has symptoms like fever of unknown origin, anaemia, and low platelet count. The bone marrow test may aid in diagnosing certain conditions, such as aplastic anaemia, leukaemia, or other haematological malignancies. If a person wonders for what reason the bone marrow test is prescribed, here are the most relevant ones: -

• An abnormal number of blood cells (high or low).
• Unexplained fever of unknown origin (FUO).
• Inconclusive blood tests for iron deficiency or overload.
• Persistent anaemia, after ruling out iron/B12/folate deficiency.
• Suspected leukaemia, myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), or myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN).
• Confirmation of lymphoma or multiple myeloma.
• Marrow infections (tuberculosis or fungal) in immunocompromised cases.
• Evaluation of radiation or chemotherapy in blood cancers.

Potential Risks of the Bone Marrow Test

Getting a bone marrow test means the doctor has ordered it to check the bone and blood cell health of the individual. Like any regular blood test, a bone marrow test has minimal risks. However, some individuals may feel discomfort and bruising. In rare cases, possible risks are: -

• Prolonged bleeding.
• Infections at the biopsy site.
• Fever.
• Redness.
• Localised inflammation.
• Fluids leakage at the biopsy site.

It is essential to consult a doctor to understand the risks associated with the bone marrow test procedure. An experienced medical practitioner can help one grasp the risk factors based on their medical history. If any symptoms are exhibited after the procedure, one should immediately consult a doctor for proper medical attention.