Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside bones responsible for blood cell production.

Examination is performed by aspiration (liquid sample) and/or biopsy (solid core sample), usually from the posterior iliac crest.

Clinical uses include:

Diagnosing hematological malignancies (leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma).

Evaluating unexplained anemia, pancytopenia, or thrombocytopenia.

Monitoring response to chemotherapy or bone marrow transplant.

Detecting storage disorders, infections, or metastatic cancers.

The specimen is processed by cytology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular studies for detailed evaluation.

Analyte: Bone marrow cells and tissue architecture.

Normal Result: Normal cellularity with balanced production of red cells, white cells, and platelets.

Abnormal Findings:

Hypercellularity or hypocellularity: Suggests marrow dysfunction.

Blast cells: Indicative of leukemia.

Plasma cell proliferation: Suggests multiple myeloma.

Fibrosis or infiltration: Seen in myelofibrosis, metastatic cancer, or infections.

Clinical Use:

Provides a definitive diagnosis in hematology and oncology.

Helps classify types of leukemia and lymphoma.

Guides treatment planning and prognosis.