Bone Marrow Essay

The diagnosis of multiple myeloma can occur after a routine blood test with your doctor. However, the most common diagnosis occurs when doctors take an x-ray of a broken bone and suspect the cancer has caused or is a contributing factor to the broken bone. When analyzing the blood tests, the following are considered when diagnosing multiple myeloma: people with multiple myeloma have high levels of proteins in the blood, especially M and other immunoglobulin, albumin, and beta-2-microglobulin. Also, the blood exam tests for high levels of calcium and for creatinine levels (to assure that the kidneys are working properly).3 Other ways to test for multiple myeloma include urine tests, x-rays, biopsies (test the bone marrow itself from a large bone - a painful procedure). Unfortunately, Multiple myeloma is a very fatal cancer, where only 35% of patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma living 5 years past their diagnosis.3

Leukemia is a cancer of blood cells, specifically white blood cells that are responsible for fighting infection. However, the abnormal cells in leukemia do not function in the same way as normal white blood cells. Leukemia cells continue to grow and divide, eventually crowding out normal blood cells. The end result is that it becomes difficult for the body to fight infections, control bleeding and transport oxygen (Medicine Net, 2015). It is estimated that each year, approximately 30,800 individuals will be diagnosed with leukemia in the United

     Several tests can be run once symptoms are noticed to earmark the disease with a proper diagnosis. Some of the tests include; a biopsy of the tumor, X-rays, a CT scan, a skeletal survey, bone scans or bone marrow aspiration (fluid sample) and biopsy (tissue sample). Once diagnosed, the treatments begin to hinder any advancement the cancer would or could make. Possibly removing the cancer completely through surgery is a possibility, while others include chemotherapy, radiation treatment, and bone marrow transplantation. Many times these treatments can be used concurrently with one another.

If the patient happens to have any of the symptoms of leukemia, any type, it is recommended to consult a doctor immediately to have a blood test taken.

Biopsy of the tumor. This is when a sample of the tumor is removed with a needle and studied.

For patient safety the Universal Protocol is followed prior to all invasive bedside and prior to surgical procedures. This protocol, required by the Joint Commission was developed by a panel of experts to establish critical steps and principles to ensure the correct procedure is performed on the correct patient at the correct site. This protocol has improved patient safety and resulted in improved teamwork. As part of the protocol, as hospital specific pre-operative checklist is reviewed and a bedside timeout is performed prior to the surgery. Unfortunately, not every bone marrow biopsy requires the sam studies and when atypical testing is required, it is up to the requesting team to notify the physician of specific testing that is required.

Once the biopsy is obtained rom the surgeon, aseptic technique should be used in order to minimize any contamination of the specimen. Since the tissue being extracted form the body, time will be of an essence due to the live tissue dying as time goes on. The tumor cells will be looked at under a microscope in order to determine weather a patient has

As I approached the Galaxy Rooms for the Bone Marrow Drive, I strongly felt that my commitment of time for this task would be profitable and satisfying. I had learned about the Bone Marrow Drive through the UTD Office of Student Volunteerism, and I hoped to experience something fulfilling. When the time came to register at the door, the staff treated me politely. They also clearly gave the necessary directions for filling out paperwork and other necessities. When the time came to get the cotton swab, the staff allowed me to do it myself! Thus, this decision greatly increased my comfort and allowed the overall drive to speed up as well. After about twenty minutes, I had gone through the process and became registered as a Bone Marrow Donor! Even

Deborah Hollowood alleges her mother Shirley Emo was seen by Dr. Hastings on three occasions complaining of a sore raised lesion on her scalp. Dr. Hastings treated the area by freezing it to make the lesion fall off. It was not until over a year later, when her mother told her about the lesion and treatments Ms. Hollowood asked for a biopsy. The biopsy results showed invasive squamous cell carcinoma. Ms. Emo was immediately referred to a plastic surgeon for treatment, and underwent 20 radiation treatments as well.

Physicians can perform tests on DNA, RNA and cell proteins to determine if cancer is present within the body. After an individual discovers a sign that leads them to believe that cancerous cells are present within their body, an assessment of a biopsy is the most accurate and common procedure to determine the presence and type of cancer. A biopsy is a process in which a small sample of body tissue is removed and examined by an expert. These processes of detection lead to the declaration of cancer type and viable treatment plans.

Intraoperative ultrasonography has been used to determine whether there is metastatic disease to other organs. Laboratory test will exhibit elevated WBC and AST. A complete blood count (CBC) is a common laboratory test used to measure blood counts (or the number of blood cells circulating in the bloodstream). A CBC measures the level of red blood cells (which carry oxygen throughout the body), white blood cells (which fight infection), and platelets (which help with blood clotting) in a blood sample. A CBC also measures hemoglobin (a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen) and hematocrit (the ratio of red blood cells to

CBC (Complete Blood Count): This blood test measures the amount of various types of blood cells in a sample of the blood. Blood cancers may be detected using this test if too many or too few of a type of blood cell or abnormal cells are found. A bone marrow biopsy may help confirm a diagnosis of a blood cancer ("Leukemia Home Page - National Cancer Institute").

• Bone marrow biopsy. In this test, a sample of marrow is removed from a bone. The sample is looked at under a microscope to check for abnormal plasma cells.

Bone marrow aspiration and trephine procedures are performed to confirm diagnosis of a particular haematological disorder and have been an important procedure since the late 1920’s (Bain, Clarke & Wilkins, 2010). The scenario witnessed by the writer while on placement in a hospital setting was a bone marrow aspiration. Permission was sought from the patient having the procedure to discuss her in this essay. A pseudonym will be used and the patients name will be replaced with Margaret. Margaret was a 60 year old woman who had Myelodysplastic syndrome which resulted in a low platelet count (National Cancer Institute, 2014). Margaret had been admitted to the ward post a fall, she presented with excessive bruising on her left side and lower extremities. A decision was made by the multidisciplinary team for Margaret to undergo a bone marrow aspiration, providing information on the health of the bone marrow and the capability of blood cell production (Medline Plus, 2014). This procedure involves a needle been inserted into the bone and a biopsy of the bone marrow is taken (National Cancer Institute, 2014). The CNS played a number of roles through-out this procedure. Not only did she assist the doctor with the procedure she supported Margaret and used physical and emotional support to comfort her. The CNS worked in a professional manner and had her patient’s best interests at heart at all times. Margaret found this procedure very daunting and the CNS was able to incorporate her

Bone marrow aspiration & biopsy – Removal of bone marrow, blood and small piece of bone from the hip or breastbone. A pathologist will then review for abnormal cells.