Multiple Myeloma: Definition , Symptoms , Causes , Diagnosis , Types , and Treatment

Bone Marrow Biopsy

The bone marrow biopsy used to check the presence and level of plasma cells in the bones. In this procedure, a needle is inserted into the bone, and a small amount of bone marrow is removed with the help of a syringe. This procedure is also known as aspiration. After the collection, the bone marrow is examined under the microscope to check the arrangement, shape, size, and appearance of plasma cells.  Some other diagnostic tests performed on bone marrow aspirate includes the following:

  1. Immunohistochemistry

This test measures the changes in the color of the bone marrow sample caused by the presence of myeloma cells.

  1. Flow cytometry

This test uses special proteins that get attached only to some specific cells. This procedure helps to measure the presence of cancerous and non-cancerous cells, myeloma, and plasma cells in the aspirate.

  1. Cytogenetics

This test measures the abnormal changes of chromosomes in the DNA of normal and diseases bone marrow cells.

  1. Fluorescent in situ hybridization

This test is also known as FISH. This test also detects changes in the chromosomes by using some special fluorescent dyes.