Imaging Investigations for Sarcoma

The earlier a sarcoma is diagnosed the better the chances of successful treatment. Sarcomas are usually found by a patient when a lump appears on the leg, arm or trunk. They can also be found during an imaging investigation performed for other, unrelated symptoms.

Types of diagnostic scans and tests used for suspected sarcoma’s:

Ultrasound

An ultrasound scan uses sound waves to create images from within the body. It may be used to assess the tumour, the surrounding tissues or regional lymph nodes. Often it is used to precisely guide a needle biopsy of the tumour.

CT Scan

The Computer Tomography (CT) scan takes a number of x-rays to make a 3D image of an affected area. It is used to assess the size and extent of tumours. It is useful in assessing for disease that has spread elsewhere in the body (metastatic disease). CT also has a role in guiding biopsies, especially for retro-peritoneal (intra-abdominal) tumours.

MRI Scan

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses magnets to create an image of the tissues of the body. It has advantages over CT for assessing local extent of a tumour and whether there is involvement of adjacent nerves and vessels.

PET

The Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan shows up changes in tissues that use glucose as their main source of energy – for example the brain or heart muscle. It involves an injection of a very small amount of a radioactive drug into the body. The drug travels to places where glucose is used for energy and shows up cancers because they use glucose in a different way from normal tissue. This is helpful in staging the cancer as it shows if the disease has spread elsewhere.