Bone marrow biopsy and aspiration

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Results

By Mayo Clinic staff

The bone marrow samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. Your health care provider generally gives you the results within a few days, but it may take longer. Ask your doctor when you can expect to receive the results of your bone marrow exam.

At the lab, a pathologist or hematologist will evaluate the marrow samples to check the health of the marrow, to see if it's making enough healthy blood cells and to look for abnormal cells. Most of the time, the information can help your doctor confirm or rule out a diagnosis or find out how advanced a disease is or if treatment is working. In some cases, you may need follow-up tests.

References
  1. What are bone marrow tests? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/bmt/bmt_all.html. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
  2. Zehnder JL. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: Indications and technique. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
  3. Riley RS, et al. An illustrated guide to performing the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Pathology. http://www.pathology.vcu.edu/education/lymph/How%20to%20Marrow.pdf. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
  4. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/bone_marrow/glance.html#. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
  5. Gomella LG, et al. Bedside procedures (bone marrow aspiration and biopsy). In: Clinician's Pocket Reference. 11th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2694363. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
  6. Ryan DH., et al. Examination of the marrow. In: Lichtman MA, et al. Williams Hematology. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2006. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2139692. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.

MY00305

Nov. 20, 2009

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