Bone Marrow Biospy AND osteoporosis

My mother is 76-yrs-old with severe osteoporosis (having had 5 kyphoplasties).  Routine bloodwork has show anemia with a dropping hgb of now 8.5 over the last two months.  Multiple labs have been drawn and now she has been sent to a hematologist who wants to perform a bone marrow biopsy. My concern is the complications of the bone marrow biopsy at this point.  And if the treatment will be the same (i.e.: blood products and Epogen) regardless of the actual diagnosis, should we go ahead with the bone marrow biopsy.

[Fernando Roque, MD]

Hi.  Bone marrow biopsy involves getting a sample of the bone marrow using a large bore needle that is inserted into the hip bone.  The needle is still small enough such that it will not have an effect on the structural integrity and strength of the hip bone, even if your mother has osteoporosis.  The subsequent treatment will depend on what the bone marrow biopsy results will be.  Not all conditions which present with anemia can be treated with blood products or Epogen.  That's why it's important to do the biopsy to determine exactly what's causing your mother's symptoms.