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- Imaging
- Laboratory
The most commonly used imaging tool for diagnosis and treatment planning in soft tissue sarcomas is a contrast MRI of the affected area.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses radio waves and magnetic field interaction, which is processed in a high speed computer system to produce detailed scan pictures of the tissue, organs, bones, ligament and cartilage. It may be useful in detecting tumours and their metastases. This diagnostic technique offers greater soft tissue contrast than a CT scan.
- PET CT is considered to assess spread to regional nodes or distant metastases to other body parts. It provides functional and morphological details by utilising radiation derived from Isotope labelled Glucose molecules to detect cellular glucose uptake in cancer.
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Biopsy -
The doctor will choose one of the following types of biopsy
depending on location of the tumour:
- Core needle: The doctor uses a needle slightly larger than the one used in an FNAC to remove a cylindrical tissue sample.
- Excisional: An incision is made in the skin and the entire growth is removed surgically. This is done only for tumours in subcutaneous tissue and if size is less than 5 cm.
- Pathology - The tissue sample collected is sent for further evaluation, such as Histopathological Examination (HPE) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC), to determine the type of disease and its grading.