visiting your GP (family doctor)
Your GP will examine you and usually arrange for some tests, such as x-rays to be done. There may be a number of reasons why you're feeling unwell, so it can be difficult to immediately diagnose the problem. If they can't find the cause, you'll be referred to a specialist at the hospital. Remember, this kind of cancer is very rare and most people with the symptoms mentioned here will not have a sarcoma.
at the hospital
Where you're referred to will depend on the results of the tests. You may go straight to a doctor or hospital specialising in sarcomas, or you might see doctors with more general experience first. If you're diagnosed with a sarcoma and not already seeing a specialist, you will be referred to one. You'll probably see a lot of doctors.
The hospital doctor will also examine you and arrange for more detailed tests, which will include a biopsy. A biopsy involves the removal of a small part of the tumour for analysis. The biopsy is usually done under a general anaesthetic which puts you to sleep.
Further tests may also be done to check the size of the tumour and whether it has spread, such as:
- a chest x-ray to check the lungs
- an ultrasound (which uses sound waves to detect changes in your body)
- scans - these may include CT, MRI, or PET scans
- blood and bone marrow tests.
You won't necessarily need all of these - and further tests will often depend on the results of your first ones. Waiting for test results can be a scary time, but understanding a little about them - what will happen, how you'll feel and when you'll get the results - can help you cope.
If it is cancer, you might need a few more tests to check how your body is working in general. These could be blood tests, or tests looking at your heart (an echo-cardiogram or electrocardiogram - ECG. You might have a nuclear medicine scan of your heart called a MUGA scan), or a test to check your kidneys (a urine collection or EDTA clearance). This may seem like a lot of tests, but they are necessary to help the doctors provide the right treatment for you.
