Your doctor may use a scan or test to better understand or diagnose sarcoma.
There are several kinds of scans and tests used depending on the area your doctor is examining.
X-ray
Uses x-radiation to take images of dense tissues inside the body such as bones or tumours.
Ultrasound
A scan that uses sound waves to create images from within the body.
CT
The computerised tomography (CT) scan takes a number of x-rays to make a 3D image of an affected area.
EUS
An Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) uses a tube-like instrument called an endoscope with an ultrasound scanner attached. This is put inside the body to look inside the gut to investigate GIST tumours.
PET
The Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan shows up changes in tissues that use glucose as their main source of energy. It involves an injection of a very small amount of a radioactive drug into the body.
MRI
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) uses magnets to create an image of the tissues of the body.
Bone scan
Uses radioactive chemicals called radionuclides which are injected, swallowed or breathed into the body, to take images of bones.
Biopsy
A biopsy is a test for cancer. A doctor removes a small sample of tissue from your tumour, and it is looked at under a microscope. The results can help doctors to understand what type of sarcoma you have and how fast it is growing.
