Cancer Health Center

How It Is Done continued...

A bone marrow biopsy uses a special tool that twists into the bone. It is normal to feel pressure at the site and hear a crunching sound as the tool twists into the bone.

After the samples have been taken, pressure is put on the site to stop any bleeding. A bandage is put on the area.

Each biopsy takes about 20 minutes. After the biopsy, you will remain lying down for 30 to 60 minutes. If the bleeding has stopped, you may do your normal activities. If you have been given a sedative, you may need several hours to rest. If you have an aspiration and biopsy from several places on your body, you may be given pain medicines to take at home or you may need to stay in the hospital overnight.

How It Feels

This procedure may be painful, but only for a few seconds. You may feel a sharp sting and burn when the anesthetic numbs your skin over the aspiration or biopsy site. You may hear a crunching sound and feel pressure and some pain when the needle enters the bone. During an aspiration, you may feel a quick, shooting pain down your leg as the sample is taken.

The biopsy site may feel stiff or sore for several days after the biopsy. You may have a bruise on the site.

Risks

Serious problems from a bone marrow aspiration or biopsy are not common. Problems may include:

• Bleeding from the biopsy site. People with bleeding problems have a higher chance for this. If you have bleeding problems, pressure will be put on the biopsy site for at least 10 minutes after the biopsy. In rare cases, you may be given a blood product (clotting factor or platelets) in a vein in your arm before the biopsy to prevent bleeding after the biopsy.
• Infection of skin or the bone (osteomyelitis) at the biopsy site.
• Injury to your heart, a lung, or a major blood vessel if the sample is taken from the breastbone (sternum). This complication is very rare. Samples are not often taken from the breastbone, so most people do not have to worry about this risk.

After the biopsy

You will lie down for 30 to 60 minutes after the biopsy so the site can be checked for bleeding. If you had a sedative, you will need someone to drive you home after the biopsy.

You may feel sore at the biopsy site for several days. Ice packs to the site, walking, and pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), can be used to help you feel better.

Call your doctor immediately if you have:

• More tenderness, pain, redness, or swelling at the biopsy site.
• A fever.
• Bleeding or drainage, such as pus, from the biopsy site. If you are bleeding, put pressure on the site and call your doctor.