Your cancer, your life - aspiration cytology/needle biopsy (part 2)


        YOUR CANCER, YOUR LIFE - ASPIRATION CYTOLOGY/NEEDLE BIOPSY (PART 2)
Aspiration cytology and needle biopsy specimens must be taken with special types of syringes and needles by persons experienced in this method. Even then, because only a few cells from one small part of the abnormal area are in each specimen, the diagnosis can be missed and repeat specimens may be necessary. As with exfoliative cytology, a clear specimen doesn't rule out cancer.
This method can obviously be used only when the suspicious area is in a place that is easy and safe to get at.
One special type of needle biopsy is the bone marrow test. The bone marrow is a soft red jelly-like area in the centre of many bones. This is where new blood cells are formed. Bone marrow cells can usually be sucked out quite easily using a fine needle. If the narrow cavity is scarred or packed with cancer cells, it may not be possible to get a liquid specimen. In these cases a tiny solid sliver of bone and marrow can be taken with a special, slightly larger biopsy needle. The pelvic bone can be used for both types of specimen. The breast bone, being easier to get at, is often used when only a liquid specimen is needed. Again, provided plenty of local anaesthetic is used to numb the sensitive outer covering of the bone this procedure should not be very painful.
Most bone marrow conditions are generalised, that is, they occur throughout the bone marrow. This means it doesn't usually matter which particular bone the specimen comes from.
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Cancer
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