Diagnosis & Treatment

How are Sarcomas Diagnosed?

Non-cancerous (benign) lumps are very common but can look similar to a sarcoma.

For this reason a patient may have to see several doctors and have several tests to get a diagnosis.

The tests used to check for sarcomas are:

• Imaging tests – taking a picture of the lump and having it looked at by an expert (radiologist). Imaging tests can be ultrasound, x-rays, CT scan or MRI scans.

• A biopsy – taking a small piece of the lump using a needle and having it looked at by an expert (pathologist)

How are Sarcomas Treated?

Surgery is the main treatment for sarcomas. However radiotherapy, chemotherapy and biological therapy can also be used to treat sarcoma.

If you have been diagnosed with a sarcoma, your doctor will discuss the best treatment option for your sarcoma. The factors your doctors will consider include:

• the size of the lump,
• where it is in your body,
• the type of sarcoma.

If radiation and/or chemotherapy is to be used, these may be given before or after surgery and a number of different doctors may be involved in your care.

Sarcomas are best managed by a specialist multidisciplinary team, which includes a surgical oncologist, a radiation oncologist, a medical oncologist, a pathologist and a radiologist.