Contents:
- Medical Video: What is a bone marrow aspiration?
- What is that bone marrow punctureaka the bone marrow test?
- What happens when the bone marrow test is performed?
- Will I feel pain when undergoing this examination?
- What risks might arise due to the bone marrow test?
Medical Video: What is a bone marrow aspiration?
Blood cancer or leukemia is a cancer that attacks blood cells, in contrast to solid cancer in general where cancer cells grow on one of the tissues. When you are suspected of having blood cancer, one of the checks that must be done is a bone marrow test or bone marrow puncture. Then what is this test like? What are the risks? How important is it for blood cancer patients?
What is that bone marrow punctureaka the bone marrow test?
Bone marrow test or bone marrow puncture (BMP) is a test conducted to take and examine blood cells in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the place where blood cells form. So that when someone experiences symptoms suspected of being blood cancer or other blood cell disorders, the doctor will check the blood cells from the factory directly by carrying out this bone marrow test.
Actually, not only patients with blood cancer are asked to do BMP, but other abnormal conditions that occur in blood cells, such as:
- Anemia
- Disorders of blood cells, such as thrombocytopenia.
- Cancer of the blood or spinal cord such as lymphoma and multiple myeloma.
- Infection
- Other blood disorders
However, for blood cancer patients, the bone marrow test (BMP) has its own objectives, namely:
- Make an initial diagnosis
- Knowing the stage or development of blood cancer
- Monitor and evaluate the success of the treatment carried out.
What happens when the bone marrow test is performed?
There are two things that are done when bone marrow puncture done, which is taking samples of marrow cells and a little bone for further examination in the laboratory. In adults, the sample will be taken from the pelvic bone (pelvis) or sternum (chest).
While in children, bone marrow is taken more often from the spinal cord. Samples will be taken using special needles that can penetrate the bone. This procedure is not too long, only about 60 minutes.
Will I feel pain when undergoing this examination?
You will not feel pain when doing BMP, because before undergoing this action, you will be given an anesthetic to relieve pain. However, some people will feel pain in the area of the body that is taken from the marrow sample, when they wake up from the anesthetic.
But don't worry, your doctor will give you painkillers if the pain you feel is unbearable.
What risks might arise due to the bone marrow test?
These spinal cord tests tend to be safe and do not cause harmful side effects. However, just like other medical measures, this test still has risks such as:
- Bleeding
- Infection, often occurs in people who have a weak immune system
- Pain in the area of the body carried out by the action.
- Swelling and redness in the former area of action
- Fever
When experiencing these things, it is better to immediately tell the medical team that handles you so that your condition is recovering quickly. After doing bone marrow puncture, You just have to wait for the results that will usually come out in a few days later.
