Hi Norma, It’s true a bmb isn’t necessary to diagnose CLL. Much can be determined through blood work alone, as you’ve seen in your own diagnosis with CLL. And it’s great that you haven’t required anything further.

However, with noticeable changes in symptoms, sometimes a biopsy is required to determine the progression of a disease from the perspective of the marrow which is at the core (no pun intended) of the cell manufacturing site. A biopsy can also help determine the extent of the disease, or the presence of other blood disorders not evident through blood work and the type of treatment that may be necessary. A bmb can be a very helpful, specialized tool in a hematologist oncologist’s diagnostic tool-box. 😊