Metastasis of solid tumors in bone marrow: a study from northern India

The metastasis of bone marrow by the solid tumors is a sign of advanced stage of disease and poor prognosis. The aim of this study was to assess the pattern of bone marrow involvement of different solid tumors and their correlation with hematological findings. In a retrospective study we evaluated 434 aspirates and 76 biopsy sections from 124 cases of different types of solid tumors previously diagnosed on the basis of their clinical and histopathological findings. The hematological profile of the patients was done and correlated with the bone marrow findings. The study was carried out at a medical college hospital of northern India. Out of 124 cases of solid tumors 31 (25%) have metastasized to bone marrow. The highest number 25 (36%) of bone marrow involvement was seen in carcinoma prostate followed by gastric carcinoma and melanoma (25%) The least number (14.2%) cases of bone marrow metastasis were observed in endometrial carcinoma. Anemia was found the commonest (71.4%) hematological finding followed by thrombocytopenia in 45.1% cases. The bone marrow examination is an easy, convenient, sensitive and cost effective procedure for assessment of staging and monitoring of prognosis of solid tumors.