Two surgical procedures for MDS include: - Bone marrow biopsy
(both to diagnose and monitor the disease) - Central venous
infusaport placement Bone Marrow Biopsy One minor surgical
procedure you will need is a biopsy of your bone marrow. In a
bone marrow biopsy, a sample of bone marrow and a small piece of
bone are removed and tested for cancer cells. (This procedure is
done under a local anesthesia. You may also receive a medication
prior to the procedure that will help you relax.) The samples
are obtained by inserting a larger than usual needle through
either the top of your pelvis or your breastbone into the soft,
spongy marrow. Once there, firm suction on a syringe draws out
approximately 2 teaspoons of marrow fluid. Then, a second
puncture with the core biopsy needle removes a small piece of
tissue. The procedure takes 10-15 minutes and is done in the
doctor’s office. You will go home with a band-aid or dressing on
the site that should remain in place for 24 hours. Some of the
biopsy sample will be evalu