Cost of Bone Marrow Biopsy

What impacts the Cost of Bone Marrow Biopsy?

The cost of a bone marrow biopsy can differ but usually ranges from ₹1,400 to ₹15,000 in India. But this cost can vary depending upon the location, the specific lab or hospital, and whether it's a biopsy or aspiration, or both.   

The cost can vary depending on whether the test is a bone marrow biopsy alone or includes aspiration. The additional costs consider costs for preparation, reporting (if excluded), and any extra tests or consultations that might be required.    

What affects the cost of Bone Marrow Biopsy?  

The cost of a bone marrow biopsy is influenced by many factors, like the complexity of the procedure, the facility type where it's performed, and the requirement for specialized tests. Other factors, such as the patient's health status and the type of anaesthesia used, can also impact the overall expense. Let's have a look at the factors that affect the cost of a bone marrow biopsy :  

1. Procedure's Complexity : More complex biopsies, similar to those that require imaging guidance (CT or fluoroscopy) or involve particular molecular tests, will usually be expensive.  
2. Type of Facility : Bone marrow biopsies performed in a hospital or specialized centre might cost more when compared to those done in a doctor's office or clinic.
3. Specialized Testing : The requirement for particular stains or molecular tests on the bone marrow sample can be included in the cost.    
4. Health of the Patient : Pre-existing conditions like diabetes or hypertension can influence the cost, potentially requiring more resources or monitoring during the procedure.
5. Type of Anaesthesia : If anaesthesia is required (e.g., intravenous sedation), this could also raise the overall cost.
6. Operator Experience : The experience of the healthcare professional performing the biopsy can impact both the cost and the quality of the sample obtained.   
7. Type of Equipment Used : The type of equipment used also impacts both the cost and the quality of the sample obtained.   

What is a Bone Marrow Biopsy?

A bone marrow biopsy refers to a medical process in which a small sample of bone marrow tissue is extracted for analysis below a microscope. This procedure helps in the diagnosis of various blood and bone marrow disorders, like certain cancers. Bone marrow, found in the centre of bones, is where blood cells are generated.    

What are the conditions and diseases that are diagnosed with a bone marrow biopsy?

Your healthcare provider might perform a bone marrow biopsy to diagnose conditions that involve too many or too few blood cells. Bone marrow biopsies might be used to diagnose cancers that impact your blood or bone marrow. The conditions which are diagnosed using a bone marrow biopsy include :

• Anaemia: Anaemia refers to a condition that involves not having sufficient red blood cells (RBCs) to carry oxygen throughout your body.
• Aplastic Anaemia: Aplastic anaemia refers to a condition in which your blood marrow will not be able to generate sufficient red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
• Leukopenia and leukocytosis: These are health conditions that involve too few or too many white blood cells.   
• Thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis: These are the conditions that involve too few or too many platelets.
• Polycythaemia Vera: A rare blood cancer that triggers your blood marrow to generate too many red blood cells.
• Leukaemia: Leukaemia is a kind of cancer that impacts the blood and bone marrow, which is seen by the overproduction of abnormal white blood cells.
• Lymphoma:Lymphoma is a kind of cancer that impacts the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is part of the body's immune system.
• Multiple Myeloma: Multiple myeloma is a rare blood cancer that affects your plasma cells, which are the white blood cells.    
• Secondary Cancers: Secondary cancers are the cancers that begin elsewhere in your body (for example, breast cancer or lung cancer), but then they get spread to a secondary location, such as your bone marrow.
• Myelofibrosis: Myelofibrosis denotes a disorder that involves fibrous scar tissue replacing bone marrow.  
• Myelodysplastic Syndrome: Myelodysplastic Syndrome is a bone marrow disorder where the stem cells don't mature properly.  

Which type of hospitals offer bone marrow biopsies?

Bone marrow biopsies are usually done in hospitals or specialized clinics by haematologists or oncologists. These biopsy procedures can also be performed in some doctor's offices.  

1. Hospital and Clinic Settings : Bone marrow biopsies are mostly carried out in outpatient clinics or hospitals, often within specialized departments like haematology or oncology.  
2.  Doctor's Offices : In a few cases, a bone marrow biopsy might be done in a doctor's office, especially if the doctor specializes in blood or cancer-associated conditions.  

What happens during a bone marrow biopsy?

A bone marrow biopsy might be done on an outpatient basis, which means that you go home the same day, or you might stay in a hospital. Procedures might differ based on your condition and your provider's practices. 

A bone marrow biopsy is performed with the help of a pelvic bone, but another bone (like the breastbone) might be used. In a child, a leg bone or vertebra (a bone in the spine) might be used. In general, a bone marrow biopsy uses the following steps :

• You will be asked to clear off clothing and might be provided a gown to wear.
• Your position might differ based on the bone that is used. You might be requested to lie down on your side or your stomach if the pelvis bone is used.
• During the procedure, you must lie as still as possible.
• The skin over the biopsy site will be cleared off with a sterile (antiseptic) solution.
• You will feel a needle stick and a sting as the healthcare provider injects a local anaesthetic to numb the region.   
• A small cut (incision) might be made over the biopsy region. The biopsy needle will be inserted via the bone and then into the bone marrow.  
• A bone marrow aspiration is generally performed first. The medical provider will use a syringe to take out a small liquid sample of the bone marrow cells via the needle. It is common to experience pressure as the needle is pressed into your bone. You will experience a pulling feeling when the marrow is removed.  
• The healthcare provider will take a small, solid piece of bone marrow with the help of a special hollow needle. This is known as a core biopsy. 
• The biopsy needle will be cleared off. Firm pressure will be applied on the biopsy region for some minutes till the bleeding gets stopped. 

A sterile bandage or dressing will be applied. The bone marrow sample will then be sent to the laboratory for examination.