Referral pathways must work, ensuring that everyone with a suspected sarcoma reaches specialist sarcoma services quickly and consistently.
Referral pathways to specialist services don’t always work, particularly for people with rarer subtypes. This can lead to misdiagnosis, inappropriate treatment and delays that can severely affect outcomes.
Why this needs to change:
- 11% of respondents to the 2025 National Sarcoma Survey reported not being treated by a specialist sarcoma team, despite guidelines stating that diagnosis and care should be overseen by a specialist sarcoma multidisciplinary team (MDT).
- 1 in 5 patients were initially treated for the wrong condition.
- Women and younger people are more likely to be misdiagnosed.
- Some people report difficulties getting referred to a specialist sarcoma centre.
- Failure to reach the correct specialist service can result in incorrect or inadequate treatment.
- Referrals can be delayed by poor NHS digital connectivity, including records being lost or sent to the wrong department.
- Many patients are unaware that their care should be overseen by a specialist sarcoma team.
- Referral pathways can be particularly poor for rarer sarcomas, including those affecting women.
What we want to see change
Referral pathways must ensure that people with a suspected sarcoma reach specialist sarcoma services quickly, so their diagnosis can be confirmed and treatment can begin within Cancer Waiting Times.
The UK Government and Devolved Administrations should:
1. Identify unfair and avoidable differences in referral pathways
By the end of 2027, the UK Government and Devolved Administrations should use Cancer Waiting Time data to identify systemic, unfair and avoidable differences in referral pathways, including for GIST and gynaecological sarcomas.
2. Develop rapid and equitable referral pathways
Action plans should be developed to ensure that rapid and equitable referral pathways are in place, so that everyone with a suspected sarcoma can reach the appropriate specialist service.
What difference would this make?
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