Dr Rajesh bollam DM medical oncology and hematology ( Cancer specialist Hyderabad )

  Bone marrow biopsy (BMB) FAQs! Ever wondered what it's all about? Keep reading... 👀 What makes up a BMB? Usually it includes 2 samples - the aspirate (liquid marrow 🩸) and the trephine (bone core 🦴) Why do we need 2 samples? The aspirate allows us to individually look at each BM cell under the microscope 🔬 (e.g. WBCs, RBCs) and classify them via flow cytometry (a method of identifying and measuring pathological cells using their surface markers e.g. CD19 for B-cells) The trephine lets us look at the way the BM is organised and assess for things like fibrosis and infiltration. We can also apply stains 🖌 (immunohistochemistry) to detect specific cells on the trephine How is it done? It is a quick (20-30 min) awake procedure using local anaesthetic. It does not require a theatre and is often done at the patient bedside. It is done aseptically using 2 separate needles 💉 (aspirate and trephine). Where do you take the samples from? Most times we manage to get samples from the pos...

Blood Cancer – Types and Treatment Blood accounts for about 8% of our total body weight and plays a vital role in bodily functions; circulating throughout body supplying nutrients, oxygen, antibodies to each and every cell.  Blood cancer occurs due to abnormal multiplying of leukocytes (WBCs). Cancer causes an imbalance in the body due to increase in cell division, leading to excessive production of WBCs. There are three main types of blood cancers: 1. Leukemia: Cancer affecting WBCs or precursor of white blood      cells, increasing their production that can’t fight infections. This      cancer generally originates in the bone marrow rendering its      ability of red blood cells and platelets production. It is further      categorized in four types: • Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL): As the name suggests, it     affects lymphocytes in the bone marrow. Production of too many     lymphocytes r...