What You Need To Know About Bone Marrow Biopsy

Doctors use a bone marrow biopsy to check the health of blood cells. They insert a small needle into a large bone to take a sample of the bone marrow, which will then be sent to a laboratory. This remarkable medical test provides insights on whether a person has blood and marrow diseases, including some cancers.

Who needs a bone marrow biopsy?

Your primary care physician may order a biopsy if your blood tests show abnormally high or low levels of red or white blood cells, and platelets. The procedure will help determine the cause of these irregularities, which can include: