Bone marrow is soft, spongy tissue that’s found inside some of your bones. It’s where your body makes three critical components of your blood: red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, and your body needs all three of these components to function properly.
Bone marrow failure syndrome (BMFS) happens when your marrow stops producing enough of one or more of these cell types. It can be inherited (genetic) or acquired, which means that something damages your bone marrow after birth (like toxins, medicines, infections, or other disease processes).
Bone marrow failure syndrome is rare, and if you think you or a loved one might have it, it’s normal to have questions. Maria Scouros, MD, and our team at Houston Cancer Institute in Houston and Katy, Texas, specialize in care for bone marrow failure, and we’re here to help you find answers.
Red blood cells are responsible for carrying oxygen to your organs, white blood cells fight infections, and platelets help your blood clot. When you don’t have enough of one or more of these elements, you can experience a wide range of symptoms.
Bone marrow failure syndrome affects fundamental blood cell production, and symptoms often depend on which blood cells are low or whether multiple cell types are affected. Here are signs to pay attention to:
When red blood cell levels drop, your body can’t effectively carry oxygen to your organs. This can make you feel unusually tired, dizzy, or short of breath, even with light activity.
New or unusual paleness in your skin or a pale lining in your eyes or your mouth can indicate low red blood cell count.
If your white blood cell counts are low, you become more susceptible to infections. You may notice you catch illnesses more often or that infections take longer to go away. Another warning sign may be unexplained fevers or infections that don’t respond promptly to traditional treatment.
Low platelets make it harder for your blood to clot and stop bleeding when you get a cut or other injury. You might see bruises from mild bumps, bleeding gums, or nosebleeds, or have cuts that bleed more than expected.
Petechiae are small pinpoint areas of bleeding under your skin. They can appear anywhere, but they’re particularly common on the arms, legs, stomach, and buttocks, and they may be a sign that platelets are low.
Sometimes, your bone marrow itself can feel uncomfortable or make nearby bones hurt. This type of pain is often described as a deep, dull ache, and it may be difficult to pinpoint exactly where it hurts.
Other symptoms of bone marrow failure will depend on the particular syndrome. For example, children with bone marrow failure may experience delayed growth. Other types can cause skin and nail changes or problems in other organs.
If you notice more than one of these symptoms or if a symptom is severe or worsening, it’s important to get evaluated.
At Houston Cancer Institute, diagnosing bone marrow failure involves several carefully targeted steps designed to clarify both the presence and the cause of the condition. The process often begins with blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), which measures levels of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.
We may order additional blood studies or recommend genetic testing to inform our diagnosis. If necessary, we perform a bone marrow biopsy, so Dr. Scouros can directly examine a sample of marrow tissue to assess how well blood-producing cells are functioning and to identify any abnormalities.
These steps work together to create a clear picture of what’s happening inside your bone marrow and guide decisions about treatment. Although bone marrow failure is serious, treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
Every person’s journey with bone marrow failure is different. What matters most is early diagnosis, close monitoring, and working with specialists who understand the condition well, and our team at Houston Cancer Institute is here for you.
If you or a loved one is experiencing signs like fatigue, infections, bleeding, or bruising, don’t ignore them. Schedule an evaluation online or by phone today at our nearest office and get clarity on what’s happening and what can be done.
