Tests and Treatments for Bone Marrow Cancer

Bone marrow cancer begins in the marrow, the spongy and soft tissue inside the bones. The actual work of bone marrow is to produce new red blood cells, and this function gets disrupted when it’s affected by cancer. There are certain types of blood cancers, such as lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and leukaemia, which can damage the bone marrow completely. To treat this condition, doctors suggest a bone marrow transplantation.

This is a highly effective treatment option, and is opted by countless patients who are suffering from bone marrow cancer. But before you go for the treatment, there are some tests you need to undergo. These tests can help determine the type of bone marrow cancer you have and which is the best treatment option available for it.

Let’s learn more about the treatments and tests for bone marrow cancer in detail.

Tests Conducted for Bone Marrow Cancer

There are several tests conducted to determine an effective treatment for bone marrow cancer. These are:

Urine and Blood Tests: The urine and blood tests can help identify the protein that has entered the circulation because of multiple myeloma. Blood tests can also offer useful insights into blood cell count, electrolyte levels, and kidney function.
Bone Marrow Aspiration: For bone marrow aspiration, a specialised needle is used to puncture one of the bones to take a sample of the bone marrow. The sample is then examined under the microscope to check the presence of cancer cells.
Imaging Tests: The doctor will conduct various imaging tests such as PET scan, X-ray, MRI scan, and CT scan. These tests can provide information on damaged or abnormal bones. These tests will also be conducted during the time of treatment to learn how effective the ongoing therapies are and to monitor the disease’s progression properly.

Why Do People Opt for Bone Marrow Tests?

The doctor might tell you to opt for a bone marrow test when the blood test results show that your platelets, white blood cells, or red blood cell levels are not normal. This means that you have a health condition, such as cancer, which begins in the bone marrow or blood.

How to Prepare for the Bone Marrow Test?

When it comes to preparing for the bone marrow tests, the doctor will let you know whether or not you have to fast for several hours before the tests. Make sure to bring a friend or a relative with you during the day of the test.

It’s because after the bone marrow test is over, you will feel a bit drowsy if the doctor gives you medicine to help you sleep or relax during the tests. It might become a bit difficult to go back home by yourself. The doctor will also instruct you on how you need to prepare yourself for the bone marrow tests, and he/she will surely answer all your questions related to the tests.

Treatments Available for Bone Marrow Cancer

Experts from the trusted Max Healthcare Group have pointed out that the treatment for bone marrow cancer depends heavily on the type of cancer a person has. But apart from that, here are the treatment options available for bone marrow cancer:

Chemotherapy

During chemotherapy, medications are utilised to eliminate all the cancer cells or prevent these cells from replicating. There are several types of chemotherapy treatments available, and the doctor will suggest the best one for you. Besides that, the doctor will also administer the chemotherapy treatment through an IV [Intravenous] drip or injection. But you might receive oral medications for treating bone marrow cancer.

Radiation Therapy

This is another effective treatment option for bone marrow cancer. Here, the doctor will administer the radiation to the cancer cells directly so that it doesn’t spread or multiply.

The oncologist will use a device that will target all the affected bone marrow with a high-power radiation beam. The oncologist will make sure that the treatment is conducted carefully, and along with this irradiation, chemotherapy drugs will also be used. This is viewed as a preliminary step for bone marrow transplantation. Once the treatment ends, you might have to remain at the hospital for a few days.

Conclusion

While bone marrow cancer treatment can be a challenging journey, it is important to remember that there are a variety of effective treatment options available that can improve outcomes and quality of life. With the right medical care, emotional support, and a positive attitude, individuals can overcome the challenges of bone marrow cancer and move towards a brighter, healthier future.