Cancer Diagnosis by Bone Marrow Smears

T H E early diagnosis of cancer by examination of bone marrow smears is so often achieved that this test has become routine in our two hospitals. We have studied the marrow aspirates from over 4,100 patients to date and this forms the basis of our report. Three cases, of many such, can hardly fail to interest the diagnostician. An 80 year old man, in hospital for routine check-up, had diverticulosis coli without complications. His general health and all other tests, including x-rays and urologic study, were negative. A routine sternal marrow aspiration showed cancer cells, but clinical reexamination failed to confirm this observation. Two years later, with pain in the left groin and all other tests negative, repeat marrow studies again showed the same type of cancer cells. X-ray of pelvis and spine now showed multiple metastases and, although the prostate was suspected, carcinoma in this area was not confirmed. He died suddenly a few weeks later and carcinoma of the prostate was demonstrated. A middle aged female, who had been treated and apparently cured of very early