Bones provide the body with structure and protect internal organs. Some bones---including the hip bones and the femur bone, which is found in the thigh---contain a spongy material known as bone marrow. Bone marrow contains immature and undifferentiated cells, known as stem cells, that develop into red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. Although bone marrow diseases can affect any bone containing bone marrow, because the femur contains a large amount of marrow, doctors obtain samples and provide diagnoses using femur bone marrow.
Anaplastic Anemia
Aplastic anemia, also referred to as bone marrow failure, describes a disease of the bone marrow in which the stem cells become damaged. The damage may occur owing to toxins, radiation, chemotherapy, medications, infectious diseases such as hepatitis or autoimmune diseases such as lupus. In rare cases aplastic anemia may occur as a result of an inherited disease such as Shwachman-Diamond syndrome or dyskeratosis congenita, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
Damage to stem cells reduces the number of circulating red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. This reduction in blood cells causes symptoms including fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, headache, chest pain, vulnerability to infections, a tendency to bruise easily, nausea and skin rashes. Treating aplastic anemia involves removing the damaged stem cells through a bone marrow transplant, infusing new blood cells through blood transfusions and reducing symptoms with medications.
Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Myelodysplastic syndrome describes a group of bone marrow disorders that cause newly formed blood cells to die while in the bone marrow or shortly after entering the bloodstream. Over time the number of dead blood cells outnumbers the number of healthy blood cells leading to symptoms including anemia, vulnerability to infections and an increased risk of bleeding. Doctors classify the type of myelodysplastic syndrome based on the type of blood cell most affected. Because no cure for this bone marrow disease exists, treatment focuses on preventing or reducing disease complications to improve quality of life, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Myeloproliferative Disorders
Myeloproliferative disorders are a group of bone marrow diseases in which a change in the genetic material of stem cells causes them to produce too many of a particular type of blood cell. Doctors call bone marrow disease characterized by an increased production of red blood cells polycythemia vera. Overproduction of red blood cells affects the blood's ability to flow, leading to complications such as stroke and heart attacks, notes the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
When bone marrow produces too many platelets---a disease known as essential thrombocythemia---blood clots can form, blocking blood vessels. Idiopathic myelofibrosis describes a bone marrow disease that occurs when scar tissue forms in the bone marrow. The scar tissue reduces red blood cell production and causes excessive production of white cells and platelets. Treatments for myeloproliferative disorders decrease symptoms and prevent additional complications.
