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Sarcoma

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  2. Diagnosis
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How is sarcoma diagnosed?

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If you have symptoms, a doctor may use several tests to see if you have sarcoma.

Physical examination and medical history

A doctor will check your body to look for lumps and other signs of cancer. They will also ask you about your past medical history.

Imaging tests

Depending on where the tumour might be in your body, you may have X-rays, computed tomography (CT) scans, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, positron emission tomography (PET) scans or bone scans.

For gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST), you may have an endoscopy. This uses a thin tube (called an endoscope) with a light and camera on it to look at the lining of the gastrointestinal tract. Some endoscopes can also use ultrasound to get a more detailed picture (called an endoscopic ultrasound or EUS).

Biopsy

A biopsy is when the doctor takes a sample of tissue to look at under a microscope and do laboratory tests for signs of abnormal cells.

Staging

The stage of a cancer is a term used to describe its size and whether it has spread beyond its original area of the body.

Knowing the type of cancer and the stage helps doctors to decide on the most appropriate treatment.

After sarcoma has been diagnosed, other tests may be done to stage the tumour. These may include imaging tests and biopsies, as well as testing of blood samples and bone marrow samples (for bone sarcomas).

Different types of sarcoma use different staging systems:

  • adult soft tissue sarcomas are categorised as Stage 1, 2, 3 or 4
  • Ewing sarcoma and bone sarcoma are categorised as localised, metastatic or recurrent
  • gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GIST) are categorised as resectable (able to be removed with surgery), unresectable, metastatic and recurrent, or refractory (not responding to treatment).
  • Last Updated
  • References
  • Relevant Links
updated: 30 December 2022 - 2:51pm

Cancer Council, Soft tissue sarcoma

Cancer Council, Bone cancer

Cancer Australia, Children’s cancer – bone tumours

Cancer Australia, Children’s cancer – soft tissue sarcoma

Australasian Gastro-Intestinal Trials Group and the GI Cancer Institute, Gastro-Intestinal stromal tumour (GIST)

National Cancer Institute (US), Adult Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version

National Cancer Institute (US), Kaposi Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version

National Cancer Institute (US), Ewing Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version

National Cancer Institute (US), Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors Treatment (Adult) (PDQ®) – Patient Version

National Cancer Institute (US), Osteosarcoma Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version

National Cancer Institute (US), Childhood Soft Tissue Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version

National Cancer Institute (US), Childhood Rhabdomyosarcoma Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version

National Cancer Institute (US), Childhood Vascular Tumors Treatment (PDQ®) – Patient Version

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The treatment that your doctors recommend will depend on the type of cancer you have, how advanced it is, and other personal factors.

Living with cancer
Living with cancer

A diagnosis of cancer marks the beginning of a journey full of emotional, psychological, physical and practical challenges.

Life after cancer
Life after cancer

While looking forward to finishing their cancer treatment and getting on with life, for some people, the end of treatment can also be a confusing or worrying time.

A-Z List of Cancer Types

Information on more than 70 types of cancer

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About Cancer Australia

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