Sarcoma Testing and Diagnosis

Sarcomas are rare cancers that start in bones or soft tissues like muscle, nerves or fat. Unlike some other cancers, there is no routine screening test for this disease. Instead, sarcomas are usually discovered when a person notices a change in their body or is experiencing a symptom of sarcoma like feeling a lump under their skin.

Sarcoma is also sometimes suspected first when a physician finds something abnormal during a checkup. Because sarcoma is rare and can be hard to detect, a proper diagnosis is important to making sure the best treatment options are offered.

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How Sarcoma is Diagnosed

The steps to a sarcoma diagnosis usually begin with a physician visit and a physical exam. The physician will ask about your medical history, how long you have had symptoms and what they are like.

Physicians look for warning signs of sarcoma like a lump under the skin that’s larger than 5 centimeters. They also examine for lumps that are deep in the muscle, are painful or are growing fast. Not every lump is cancer, but checking these signs helps the physician decide what to do or test for next.

Imaging for Sarcoma Diagnosis

If a physician suspects a sarcoma or needs more information, they will order imaging tests. These tests create pictures of the inside of the body so the medical team can see the size of the cancer and where it is located. An MRI is often used because it can show soft tissues, and places where the tumor might be growing near nerves, muscles or other sensitive areas.

CT scans are also used to look at the chest and belly to see if the sarcoma has spread to places like the lungs. X-rays are sometimes used to help check the bones, and a PET scan might be used to look for cancer cells throughout the body.

Biopsy for Sarcoma Diagnosis

Imaging can provide important information for the physician. But a biopsy is the only way to know for sure if a lump is a sarcoma. During a biopsy, a physician removes a small piece of the tissue to be tested in a laboratory.

Discussing the Results

In the lab, the diagnosis is confirmed by looking at specific clues in the cells. They determine the specific type of sarcoma, as there are many different subtypes. The sarcoma is also “graded.” This means how many of the cancer cells look like normal cells. Knowing this helps your physician better understand if the cancer will grow quickly or slowly.

Confirming the Diagnosis

Your care team will also use this information to determine the stage of the sarcoma. Staging defines how large the tumor is and if it has spread to other parts of the body.  Next steps are deciding on treatment. It may include surgery, radiation or other treatments or a clinical trial. Your team of sarcoma specialists will work together to find the best treatment plan for you.

Dr. Min S. Park in a navy jacket
Dr. Min S. Park is the clinical director of Sarcoma Medical Oncology at Fred Hutch. She specializes in caring for patients with bone and soft tissue sarcomas.

Why Choose Fred Hutch for Sarcoma Care 

People with rare cancers like sarcoma have better outcomes if they get care at a center like Fred Hutch, where experienced physicians treat many people with this disease. We offer comprehensive treatment from a team of experts who specialize in soft tissue sarcomas and bone cancers.