What To Expect From A Bone Marrow Biopsy

Alternative Diagnostic Tests

Because a bone marrow biopsy can carry risks and tends to be a painful procedure when intravenous sedation is not used, some patients may want to undergo alternative diagnostic tests. Individuals who have been diagnosed by cancer or another bone marrow disorder may not want to undergo multiple bone marrow biopsies or can be in a physical state where they are unable to undergo follow-up bone marrow biopsy. One method being used as an alternative to a follow-up bone marrow biopsy in myeloma patients uses plasma cells captured from blood samples. This test will allow the doctor to identify the stage of the myeloma, the best drug to treat it, and keep an eye out for signs of recurrence in states of remission. The presence of circulating tumor cells or CTCs in the blood, along with the presence of cell-free DNA, can be used for comprehensive genomic profiling. The combination of both of these components is what makes it possible to extract valuable information that helps with the genetic profiling of a patient's cancer.

Continue reading to learn about alternative uses for bone marrow samples next.