Further tests for soft tissue sarcoma

This page tells you about further tests you may have if your biopsy shows you have a soft tissue sarcoma. There is information about

A quick guide to what's on this page
Why you need more tests
CT scan
MRI scan
PET scan
Tests for gene changes
After the tests

Further tests for soft tissue sarcoma

If your tests show you have a sarcoma, you may have to have further tests to see if the cancer has spread. And to decide on the best treatment.

Scans

Your doctor may want to do a scan to get a better picture of your cancer, and to see if there are any signs that it has spread. You may have a CT scan, MRI scan, PET scan or ultrasound scan.

Tests on cancer genes

Tests that look at the chromosomes and genes in the cancer cells are called cytogenetic tests. These tests are often used if there is any doubt about the exact diagnosis. They can be useful for telling a Ewing's sarcoma from other types of sarcoma, such as small cell sarcomas for example. This is important because Ewing's sarcomas are treated differently from other types of sarcoma.

After your tests

You may feel very anxious while waiting for the results of your tests. It may help to talk to a friend or relative about how you are feeling. Or you may want to contact a cancer support group to talk to someone who has been through a similar experience.

CR PDF Icon You can view and print the quick guides for all the pages in the Diagnosing soft tissue sarcoma cancer section.

If your tests show you have a sarcoma, you may have to have further tests to see if the sarcoma has spread. And to decide on the best treatment. Your doctor may also want to do tests on the cancer cells that were removed. There are many different types of soft tissue sarcoma and it can be difficult to tell one from another sometimes, even for a very experienced pathologist. Detailed tests on the genes within the sarcoma cells can help find out exactly what type of sarcoma it is.

A CT scan is a computerised scan using X-rays. You may be asked to have a CT scan of your chest to see if there are any signs of cancer spread. CT is particularly useful for checking whether sarcoma has spread to the lungs. You may be given an injection of dye called ‘contrast’ before the scan. This helps to make the scan clearer to read. There is detailed information about having a CT scan in the CancerHelp UK section about cancer tests.

Magnetic resonance imaging is commonly known as an MRI scan. It uses magnetism to create pictures of the body. This test is used because it is often better at showing up soft tissues than X-rays. You may have an injection of a dye called contrast medium before the scan. This helps to make the scan clearer. There is more about having an MRI scan in the CancerHelp UK section about cancer tests.

You may have a PET scan if you have been diagnosed with some types of sarcoma, although they are not used as often as CT or MRI scans. This type of scan can help to show if some tumours are cancerous (malignant) or not. You may have to travel to another hospital to have a PET scan. You have an injection of a very small amount of a radioactive glucose, which travels through your body. You then lie under a special scanner which shows the levels of glucose in different areas. Cancers use glucose in a different way from normal tissue so a sarcoma can sometimes show up on a PET scan.

Tests that look at the chromosomes and genes in the cancer cells are called cytogenetic tests. Doctors use these tests if there is any doubt about the exact type of sarcoma. They can be useful for telling a Ewing's sarcoma from other types of sarcoma, such as small cell sarcomas. This is important because Ewing's sarcomas are treated differently from other types of sarcoma.

You will be asked to come back to the hospital when your test results have come through. This is bound to take a little time, even if only a day or two. You may feel very anxious during this time.

While you are waiting for results it may help to talk to a close friend or relative about how you are feeling. Or you may want to contact a cancer support group to talk to someone who has been through a similar experience. If you want to find people to share experiences with online, you could use Cancer Chat, our online forum. Look at the list of soft tissue sarcoma organisations for organisations that can put you in touch with other people who have cancer or that provide counselling services.