Diagnosis and Staging

Physicians use imaging techniques, biopsy and staging information to evaluate a possible sarcoma. It is critical to have the correct diagnosis of these cancers to avoid complications. The most useful imaging techniques include computed tomography scans (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). CT scans are good for intra-abdominal and retroperitoneal areas whereas MRI is preferred for sarcomas on the limbs and planning surgery. Biopsy may be excisional (only to remove small lesions), core needle or incisional. However, any biopsy technique must consider future surgical planning.

Tumor Staging

Staging is the process of determining how much cancer there is in the body and where it is located. Staging describes the extent or severity of an individual's cancer based on the extent of the original tumor and the extent of spread in the body. Knowing the state of the disease helps the doctor plan a treatment and determine a prognosis. Staging provides a common language with which doctors can communicate about a patient's case. Knowing the stage is important in identifying clinical trials that may be suitable for a particular patient. The American Joint Committee on Cancer stages soft tissue sarcomas this way:

• IA low grade, small, superficial or deep G1-2, T1a-1b, N0, M0
• 
IB low grade, large, superficial or deep G1, T2a-T2b, N0, M0
• IIA low-high grade, large, deep G2-3, T1a-T1b, N0, M0

• IIB low grade, small, superficial or deep G2, T2a-T2b, N0, M0
• 
III  high grade, large, superficial or deep G3 or any grade with lymph node involvement, T2a-T2b, N0, M0 or any T with lymph node involvement

• IV any grade, any T, any N with  M1