Appearance of Bone Marrow Smears With Necrotic Tumor Cells

Bone marrow smears of necrotic tumorcells stained with Romanowsky dyes frequently have a definite reddish colorthat contrasts so strikingly with the bluecolor of normal marrow that necrosismay be suspected from gross examination. The bone marrow cells appear"smudged" and are difficult to identifyon microscopic examination. Commonly,only a small amount of material is obtainable by ordinary needle aspiration ofbone marrow containing necrotic tumor,and all of it is used to make smears. Itis therefore important to recognize thatbone marrow smears with a reddishgross appearance and in which the cellsappear distorted and are difficult toidentify may represent necrotic tumorand not an artifact produced by poortechniques.

Submitted on March 5, 1971 Accepted on March 22, 1971