Sarcoma Diagnosis

If a soft tissue sarcoma is suspected, exams, tests, and a biopsy will be done to confirm the diagnosis. The type of biopsy will be based on the size and location of the tumor.

There are three types of biopsies commonly used.

Your physician will choose the best one for you:

• Core biopsy: The removal of a small cylinder of tissue using a wide needle.
• Excisional biopsy: A minor surgical procedure where the entire lump or area of tissue that doesn’t look normal is removed.
• Incisional biopsy: A surgical procedure that removes part of a lump for further analysis.

Tests Used to Diagnose Sarcoma

The following tests may be done on the tissue that was removed:

• Cytogenetic analysis: A test that looks for certain changes in the chromosomes of the cells.
• FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization): A laboratory test used to look at specific genes or chromosomes in cells and tissues.
• Flow cytometry: A laboratory test that measures cell size, shape, and the presence of tumor markers on the cell surface. 
• Immunohistochemistry study: A test that checks for certain markers and may be used to tell the difference between different types of cancer.
• Light and electron microscopy: Used to look for certain changes in the cells.