The uncommon category of malignancies known as sarcomas usually starts in the body’s soft tissues or bones. In other words, the term “sarcoma” refers to connective tissue malignancies as well as bone cancer. About 1% to 2% of all malignancies that afflict children, adolescents, and even adults are caused by it. Despite the fact that bone cancer may occur everywhere on the body, it often occurs in the arms and legs.
There may not be any obvious symptoms or indicators since it grows deep inside the body and only becomes apparent once a lump appears. This makes sarcoma early detection so important.
How to recognize a bone sarcoma
Bone sarcoma is a kind of cancer that may be accurately diagnosed using a variety of tests, but not everyone needs all of them. Doctors consider a number of variables when choosing diagnostic tests, including the suspected kind of cancer, the patient’s signs and symptoms, age, general health, and the outcomes of earlier medical testing.
The tests often used to identify bone sarcoma and gauge its stage are listed below:
Bone scan: A bone scan is useful for figuring out what stage a bone sarcoma is at. A radioactive tracer is injected into a patient’s vein in a little quantity, and it gathers in certain locations of the bone. Images are produced when a specialized camera picks up the tracer’s radiation. Bone that is healthy seems lighter, whereas regions that have cancer cells or fractures show out.
Blood testing: Sarcomas cannot be diagnosed only by laboratory blood tests. Alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase levels may be high in certain osteosarcoma or Ewing sarcoma patients. It’s crucial to remember that these compounds may also be boosted for non-cancerous reasons, such as infant development normally or the healing of damaged bones.
X-ray: Using a modest quantity of radiation, X-rays provide pictures of the interior organs and tissues of the body. They assist spot any abnormalities or malignancies and provide a visual picture of the bones.
CT (or CAT) scan: CT scans use X-rays captured at various angles to produce in-depth 3-dimensional pictures of the body. They are able to spot tumors or anomalies and gauge their size. To improve the image’s clarity, contrast media, a unique dye, may be used.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI creates detailed bodily pictures by using magnetic fields rather than X-rays. Both the size of the tumor and the involvement of adjacent soft tissues may be determined. The quality of the picture may or may not be improved by the employment of a contrast media.
Positron emission tomography (PET) or PET-CT scan: To ascertain the stage of bone sarcoma, a PET scan is often paired with a CT scan. A radioactive sugar molecule is injected into the body, where it is absorbed by cells, including cancer cells, that actively consume energy. Images of the organs and tissues are created when the scanner picks up this material.
A biopsy is the removal of a tiny piece of tissue for microscopic analysis. While other tests could point to malignancy, only a biopsy can provide a conclusive determination. The sample is examined by a pathologist to determine if cancer is present. Depending on where the tumor is, biopsies may be done with or without a minor incision. The biopsy technique must be carried out at a specialized facility since it is critical to a correct diagnosis and course of therapy. A qualified pathologist should also examine the tissue sample to guarantee a precise sarcoma diagnosis.
The doctor will go through the findings with the patient after performing the required diagnostic tests. These findings help to characterize the disease and establish its stage and grade in cases of cancer diagnosis. Grading and staging aid in determining the best treatment strategy. Patients with bone sarcoma must get therapy in a sarcoma speciality facility, where specialists can guarantee an accurate diagnosis and provide suitable care.
