The Bone Marrow biopsy and Lymph Node Biopsy is one of the types of Blood Cancer diagnostic test. Blood cancer starts from Bone Marrow and with time it reaches and infects the nearby organs too. So, to check and detect the presence of blood cancer cells, a number of diagnostic tests are performed by the doctors. The biopsy is one of those detection tests. A biopsy is handy in finding:

There are two types of Biopsy for Blood Cancer – Bone Marrow Biopsy and Lymph Node Biopsy. Go through the complete article to know in detail about both the Biopsies of Blood Cancer.

Bone Marrow Biopsy

biopsy for bone marrow

Bone Marrow Biopsy is the type of Blood Cancer Diagnostic tests which helps in detecting the presence of cancer cells in the Bone Marrow. Through Bone Marrow Biopsy and Bone Marrow Aspiration, a spongy tissue from the larger bone is collected and examined under the microscope by the pathologist to detect the presence of Blood Cancer. Also, the Bone Marrow Biopsy will help you know about the health of the Bone Marrow.  

The procedure of Bone Marrow Biopsy

bone marrow biopsy

To conduct Bone Marrow Biopsy, the doctor would first make a small incision from where the needle would be inserted into the body to take a sample of bone marrow. On the front end of the needle, a syringe is connected. With the help of this syringe, doctors collect the liquid portion of the bone marrow. This process can be repeated several times for multiple samples. In order to collect the solid bone marrow tissue, a larger needle is used which is specially designed to get the core part of bone marrow.

Despite being a several minute process only, it is quite a painful process. So, to reduce the sensation of pain, doctors give local anesthesia to the patient.

What after Bone Marrow Biopsy?

The sample which is collected is sent to the laboratory for analysis. A team of doctors (pathologist or hematologist) will analyze the sample and will provide the result within some days. The result of Bone Marrow Biopsy would tell you that:

  • Whether there is a presence of cancer cells or not.
  • What is the stage of cancer?
  • Whether any treatment is going or whether the treatment is giving results or not?

How to Take Care after Bone Marrow Biopsy

  • Wear the bandage for the at least 24 hours after the treatment. Keep the dressing dry for these 24 hours.
  • After 24 hours you can go to have a bath.
  • Meet the doctor immediately if you face a resolute fever, Worsening pain or discomfort, Increasing redness at the treatment site, swelling after the treatment.
  • For comfort, do regular exercise for some days after the treatment.

The risk associated with Bone Marrow Biopsy?

  • A person can face the excessive bleeding. This is most seen in the patient with low platelets count.
  • A patient with a weak immune system may face an infection.
  • Feeling of discomfort at the biopsy site.

You Must Know:  Early Symptoms of Blood Cancer and Causes of Blood Cancer.


Lymph Node Biopsy

Lymph Node Biopsy is the second type of Biopsy which can be carried out on the different types of Blood Cancer . Through the Lymph Node Biopsy, the doctors aim to detect the presence of cancer cells on the lymph node. Lymph nodes are the small and oval-shaped organs. They are the part of the immune system. So, the infection on the lymph node will damage the immunity of the body.

In Lymph Node Biopsy, a sample of the swollen Lymph Node is taken to examine the presence of cancer cells in it. So, to conduct the Lymph Node Biopsy, there are three different ways:

Needle Biopsy

lymph node biopsy

In Needle Biopsy, a small sample of the lymph node is taken out for examination. Needle Biopsy is just a 15-20 minute process. First, the doctor will clean and numb the site of Biopsy. Then a fine needle would be inserted into the lymph node for the sample. The sample is taken out, and a bandage is applied on the site of Biopsy to stop bleeding.

Open Biopsy

Biopsy for blood cancer

Through the Open Biopsy, the entire portion of the lymph node or the whole lymph node is removed. This is quite a painful process, so local or general anesthesia is given to the patient, according to the requirement. The complete Open Biopsy is a 45-minute long process. To carry out Open Biopsy, a small cut will be made on the biopsy site. Now the part or entire lymph node would be removed from there. After getting the lymph node sample, the biopsy site is stitched again, and a bandage is applied on it. The biopsy site would take 10-14 days to heal.

Sentinel Biopsy

biopsy of lymph node

Generally, Sentinel biopsy is done to check the spreading of cancer. In this process, a blue dye called tracer is injected from the site of cancer. Now, the infected collect this dye through which the presence and extent of cancer can be detected.

How to Take Care after Lymph Node Biopsy

The doctors will examine the samples and will provide you with a result after 5-7 days. Also, you need to be very conscious about the health and especially about the site where the biopsy was done. Keep the Biopsy site clean and dry as per the doctors prescription. The doctors may also ask you to avoid showers for some days. Also, after the treatment, you may experience fever, chills, swelling, intense pain, and bleeding. So, if you face any of these, meet the doctor immediately.

Risk associated with Lymph Node Biopsy?

  • The patient might feel tenderness around the site of Lymph Node Biopsy.
  • Numbness in some cases when accidentally the nerve get damaged during the biopsy.
  • Bleeding
  • Infection (this is rare and can be easily treated with antibiotics)

These are the two types of Blood Cancer Biopsy which the doctors can use while detecting/ diagnosing the Blood Cancer cells. Also, don’t miss to read about other Blood Cancer Diagnostic Test. Book an appointment with the cancer specialist in Jaipur at Candrol and get to know in detail about the Blood cancer Biopsy and Blood Cancer Treatment.

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