CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of sarcoma
Being aware of the signs and symptoms of sarcoma makes it easier to spot any changes and have them checked. It may not be anything serious, but finding sarcoma early means that treatment can begin sooner, which can improve outcomes.
What are the signs and symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma?
The symptoms of soft tissue sarcomas will depend on where the sarcoma is. Usually they will present as a lump on your arms, legs and trunk, which includes your chest, abdomen, pelvis, and back.
In the earlier stages, you might notice a painless lump under the skin of these areas. As the lump grows, it might cause pain or put pressure on nearby organs, nerves, or muscles, making certain activities, or even breathing, more difficult. If you notice any new or unusual changes to your body, it’s important to speak to your doctor right away.
Other symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma can include:
- Stomach pain
- Feeling sick
- Loss of appetite or feeling full after a small amount of food
- Blood in your stool or vomit
What are the signs and symptoms of bone sarcoma?
Symptoms will usually include pain, tenderness and swelling of the affected bone, or an unexpected fracture; meaning there was no reason for the break, such as an accident or impact.
There can be other symptoms of soft tissue and bone sarcomas which are not listed here, so if you have any new, persistent or unusual symptoms, or you feel something is wrong, even if it is not covered here, contact your GP.
Expert-led diagnosis and personalised care
At HCA Healthcare UK, our expert pathologists and radiologists use advanced imaging and diagnostic techniques to provide fast, precise diagnoses. Early detection, expert interpretation, and accurate staging are key to developing effective treatment plans tailored to you.
If you have been referred with a suspected sarcoma, your consultant will usually begin by giving you a physical examination, and then taking a biopsy - this is where a small sample of the suspected tumour is removed for testing under a microscope, and enables us to confirm or rule out cancer.
If the biopsy confirms sarcoma, you will usually have further scans, such as CT, MRI, PET, or bone scans. These scans will show whether or not the tumour has spread - a process called staging.
Our specialist labs can also perform molecular tests to uncover specific tumour characteristics that might help guide your treatment, identifying the most effective treatments for you.
If you’re diagnosed with sarcoma, you’ll have immediate access to our multidisciplinary team of sarcoma specialists. Your care team, led by expert consultants, will design a recommended treatment plan tailored to your unique needs, without delay. And you will receive the support of a dedicated Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS).