MY AUNT HAS JUST FOUND OUT THAT SHE HAS NHL .. SHE WILL BE STARTING CHEMO ON MONDAY NEXT WEEK .. HER DOCTOR TOLD HER TODAY THAT HER BONE MARROW WAS POSITIVE AND WE WASNT QUITE SURE WHAT THAT MEANS COULD SOMEONE PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT THAT MEANS? THANK YOU

Debbie-
I'm assuming that the doctor did a bone marrow examination on your aunt- a relatively simple procedure in which a needle is inserted into either the breastbone or pelvic bone, and they draw some bone marrow out, done generally right there in the doctor's office.

Because a bone marrow exam (when looked at under a microscope) can detect the presence of lymphoma or leukemia, It's possible - even likely, since she's undergoing treatment - that what the doctor meant was that the bone marrow exam was "positive" for cancerous cells, even though it's rare for cancer to spread to the bone marrow (rare but not impossible).

Sometimes bone marrow exams are done in order to determine how capable the bone marrow is in producing red blood cells- they want to know this in order to know whether your aunt can handle very aggressive chemo.

In sum, doctors use bone marrow exams to help them make both diagnosis as well as treatment plans for blood-related cancers as well as other health issues. None of the resources I have is specific about what 'positive' could mean; I suggest you call your doctor immediately, be pushy as hell, wait on hold as long as it takes, and say "Doctor, I need you to clarify something for my aunt; You said her bone marrow was 'positive'- what did you mean by that?" And if his/her answer isn't clear enough, ask them to explain it again.

Please return here and let us know what you find out.

Ross