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What are the tests to confirm bone marrow cancer?
The doctors are suspecting a cancer for my father who is 75 years old. They have ordered a few tests to confirm the diagnosis? What are the tests recommended for bone marrow cancer? Just want to confirm to know if the investigations are in the right direction.
4 Answers
A bone marrow biopsy would be needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Other tests frequently ordered to help define the extent of the disease are CT, MRI, bone scan and possibly a PET. Blood tests are also usually needed to assess for anemia and other blood abnormalities
A bone marrow biopsy is probably the best test to perform. This will give the most information. Sometimes, urine test and blood test can also be an adjunct.
The best way is a bone marrow biopsy. Bone scans can be unreliable for leukemia or myeloma.