Why Bone Marrow Aspiration Needle Procedures Are Done

A bone marrow aspiration needle test provides detailed information about the condition of your bone marrow and blood cells.

Your doctor may order a bone marrow test if the blood work is abnormal or does not provide enough information about a suspected problem.

Your doctor may perform a bone marrow test to.

Diagnose a disease or condition involving the bone marrow or blood cells

Determine the stage or progression of the disease

Determine if iron levels are adequate

Monitor the treatment of a disease

Investigate an unexplained fever

Bone marrow tests can be used for many conditions. These conditions include

Anemia

Certain types of blood cell conditions that produce too few or too many blood cells, such as leukopenia, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, thrombocythemia, pancytopenia, and polycythemia

Cancers of the blood or bone marrow, including leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma

Cancers that have spread from other sites (such as the breast) to the bone marrow

Hemochromatosis

Fever of unknown origin