Diagnostic Procedures

Bone Marrow Biopsy

Why would I need this test?
The marrow is the site of normal production of blood cells – red cells, white cells and platelets. Blood cells may be lacking or abnormal in their development, produced in excess, or replaced by cells normally foreign to the marrow. Examination is sometimes required to assess initial involvement of the marrow by disease and thereafter the progress of treatment.

How is a bone marrow biopsy performed?
Under local anaesthetic with some intravenous sedation, a tiny incision is made in the skin at the back of the pelvis above the buttock. A narrow needle inserted into the thick bone beneath this area is used to obtain samples of marrow. Approximately one teaspoon of liquid marrow and a 2-3cm solid piece of bone and bone marrow are taken.

The results will be available a few days after the procedure, and you will have a follow-up appointment with your Oncologist to discuss the findings.

Other Procedures
From time to time a patient may require an ascitic tap to remove excess fluid from the abdominal cavity. This procedure is carried out in the medical imaging department. Occasionally an infusion of Albumin is required at this time and would be given by the infusion centre.

Patients are also admitted to the centre for observation following liver biopsy.