Need help in understanding test results

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Hi everyone,

I need some help in interpreting BMA and biopsy test records. I did a

test on November 11th and still waiting for cytogenetic and molecular

(FISH) studies for BSR/ABL. I got, however, bone marrow aspiration

and biopsy results. Please, help me understand them. It seems that

blood smear is good, but bone marrow is kind of unclear to me. I

cannot understand how bad it is. There are some numbers and

terminology in the description that are absolutely foreign language

to me. I tried to brows on internet, but it didn't help me a lot.

Below is what I have on the copy from my doctor's office:

PERIPHERAL BLOOD SMEAR:

WHITHIN NORMAL LIMITS; NO MORPHOLOGIC ABNORMALITY IDENTIFIED.

BONE MARROW, ASPIRATE SMEARS, CORE BIOPCY AND CLOT SECTION:

NORMOCELLULAR MARROW WITH TRILINEAGE HEMATOPOIETIC MATURATION AND

ABSENT IRON STORES. NO MORPHOLOGIC OR FLOW CYTOMETRIC EVIDENCE OF

CHRONIC MYELOPROLIFERATIVE DISORDER IDENTIFIED (SEE COMMENT)

COMMENT:

PERIPHERAL BLOOD SMEAR:

The red blood cells are normal in number and without significant

morphologic abnormality. The white blood cells are normal in number

and composed of predominantly mature neutrophils with adequate

lobation and granulation, small lymphocytes, scant eosinophils and

rare basophils. No circulating blasts are seen. The platelets are

normal in number and appear granulated.

ASPIRATE AND IMPRINT SMEARS:

The aspirate smears are particulate but show significant degenerative

artifact. The touch imprint smears show significant air-dry artifact.

The myeloid series shows maturation to the neutrophil stage.

Basophils do not appear to be a significant component. Blasts appear

to be much less than 5% of the overall hematopoietic population.

Erythroid precursors are seen. Occasional megakaryocytes are present.

BONE MARROW BIOPSY CORE SECTION:

These show bone marrow averaging approximately 50% in overall

hematopoietic cellularity. Myeloid precursors with maturation to the

neutrophil stage. Occasional small erythroid islands are present. The

myeloid: erythroid ratio is estimated at 3:1. Megakaryocytes are

present and appear adequate in number.

BONE MARROW CLOT SECTIONS:

These show blood and small particles of marrow with features similar

to those described in the biopsy core sections.

IRON STAINS:

Iron stains of the smears, core biopsy, and clot sections show absent

stainable iron. The control slides are appropriately stained.

FLOW CYTOMETRY STUDIES:

By report, flow cytometry studies performed at the University of

Washington Medical Center revealed no convincing abnormal myeloid

blast, monocyte or maturing myeloid population identified. Noted were

degenerative changes and poor viability.

Thank you,

Lilia.