# Bone Marrow Metastasis in Non-hematological Malignancies: Data From a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India

## TL;DR

This study examines bone marrow metastases in non-hematological cancers at a hospital in India, finding that 31% of patients had such metastases.

## Contribution

The study provides new data on the prevalence and clinical features of bone marrow metastases in non-hematological malignancies in a North Indian population.

## Key findings

- 31% of non-hematological malignancy patients had bone marrow metastases.
- Anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia were common in peripheral blood smears.
- No single predictive parameter for bone marrow metastases was identified.

## Abstract

Background

It is known that the diagnosis of non-hematological malignancy from bone marrow is uncommon. Also, aspiration from the bone marrow is considered one method that aids in the diagnosis of bone metastases. The study examined bone marrow results and a thorough examination of bone marrow in non-hematological cancers that have metastasized to the bone marrow.

Materials and methods

This was a retrospective study that was conducted at the Department of Hematology, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna, Bihar, India. A total of 200 cases of bone marrow aspiration and 150 cases of bone marrow biopsies with relevant clinical features, hematological, and radiological findings have been enrolled in the study. Ethical clearance has been granted by the Institutional Ethics Committee (IEC) of IGIMS.

Results

It was observed that 62 (31%) patients with non-hematological malignancies suffered from bone marrow metastases. The population with bone marrow metastases varies, as 50 (80.6%) of the patient population comprised adults, while the pediatric population was 12 (19.4%). Anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, pancytopenia, and nucleated immature blood cells were some common findings of peripheral blood smears associated with non-hematological malignancies.

Conclusion

It concluded the necessity of diagnosing bone marrow metastases in patients with non-hematological malignancies. The study could not find any assured predictive parameter for bone marrow metastases. Conditions like anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and others have been revealed by examining peripheral blood smears.