A bone marrow biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing systemic mastocytosis (SM), a rare disease characterized by the accumulation of abnormal mast cells throughout the body.
If you’ve just scheduled a bone marrow biopsy, you may be wondering how to best prepare for the procedure. Fortunately, there isn’t much you need to do to get ready, but planning out transportation and discussing concerns with your doctor beforehand can help ease some of your anxieties.
The role of bone marrow biopsies in diagnosing SM
Mast cells are produced in the bone marrow before traveling through the bloodstream to different tissues. As a result, the vast majority of patients with SM have some degree of bone marrow involvement. However, the level of involvement varies depending on subtype.
Read more about SM testing and diagnosis
According to both the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Consensus Classification (ICC) guidelines, the major criterion for diagnosing SM is finding groups of at least 15 mast cells clustered together either in the bone marrow or in other organs. Although this criterion doesn’t necessarily need to be fulfilled to make a diagnosis of SM, a positive biopsy is a very strong indicator of the disease.
Preparing for your biopsy
There are some logistic considerations that you may want to take into account when preparing for your biopsy. Spacing out your preparation over a few days can help make the process feel less overwhelming.
A few days before
In the days leading up to your biopsy, make sure you have a plan for getting to your appointment and getting home after. Ask your doctor if you’ll be receiving local anesthesia, which only numbs a portion of your body, a sedative, or both. If you’re taking a sedative, you’ll need to find someone to drive you home.
If you have any questions regarding medications you’re taking and whether you should pause them before the procedure, now is the time to reach out to your health care team. Blood thinners can increase the risk of bleeding during the test, but you should never stop taking any drugs without talking to your care team first.
If you have allergies to certain adhesives, latex or medications that might be used during the procedure, telling your doctor beforehand can help them make sure they have the right materials the day of the biopsy.
The day before
Usually, you won’t have to do any special preparations the day before your biopsy. If you’re feeling nervous, try taking this time to relax and do something you enjoy, like listening to music or spending time with family.
You may receive instructions not to eat or drink after midnight — make sure to carefully follow these directions to avoid any delays to the test.
If the medical facility is in an area you’re not familiar with, you can also map out your route so you know where to go and how long it’ll take to get there.
The day of
Wear loose clothing to your appointment. While you’ll be asked to change into a gown for the biopsy itself, having something comfortable to change into afterwards that won’t rub against the biopsy site will be very helpful.
Give yourself ample time to park, find your way inside and fill out any required paperwork. Doing what you can to avoid any unnecessary stress leading up to your bone marrow biopsy can help make the experience feel less daunting.
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