I have been referred for investigations
I have been referred for investigations
Why have I been referred to a Sarcoma service?
The sarcoma service investigates and treats unusual or undiagnosed lumps, both cancerous and non-cancerous (benign). You may have been referred by your GP or by another healthcare professional such as a hospital consultant. They may have asked the sarcoma service for advice about your case, or may have asked the sarcoma service to take over your care. This is to ensure you receive the most appropriate investigations and treatment, guided by teams who are experts in this specialist area.
A GP can refer you to a sarcoma service in two ways, on a ‘Two Week Wait’ pathway or a ‘routine’ pathway. The ‘Two Week Wait’ referral system was introduced for situations where there may be a suspicion of cancer so that conditions can be diagnosed as quickly as possible. It is therefore important that you attend all of your appointments. A routine pathway is used when there is no suspicion of cancer but specialist input is still required.
Does this mean I have cancer?
Most lumps and bumps are benign; this means they are not cancer. Most people (Sarcoma UK believe 8 out of 10 people) referred to a sarcoma specialist centre do not have a sarcoma (cancerous tumour). There are a number of benign conditions that are still managed by a sarcoma service. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell a benign lump from a sarcoma. Where there is any uncertainty we aim to investigate you as quickly and efficiently as possible. If you are diagnosed with a sarcoma we want to have the opportunity to make a management plan with you as soon as we are able.
What happens next?
Following a review of your referral, you will be contacted by a member of our team to discuss the next steps with you. This may be:
- a member of our radiology team- to book a test or investigation;
- a keyworker (specialist practitioner, physiotherapist or clinical nurse specialist) or consultant- for a virtual consultation;
- a member of our administrative team- to book an outpatient appointment.
We will often ask you to undergo further tests and investigations in order for us to make a diagnosis and/or assess treatment options.
Investigations and tests
Our specialist team may recommend different tests, such as:
- Ultrasound
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- X-ray
- Ultrasound-guided or CT-guided biopsy
- Physical examination
You may be asked to attend City Hospital and/or Queen’s Medical Centre for investigations. The appointment may be made a short notice and it is likely you will be contacted by telephone in this situation. Please check the details carefully to make sure you are know where and when the appointment is scheduled.
Waiting for the results?
It can take a few weeks for us to reach a conclusion, as some lumps are more difficult to diagnose than others. Your test results are reviewed by our team of experts known as a multidisciplinary team (MDT). The MDT will discuss your diagnosis and the best management options; we will arrange to talk to you as soon as an outcome is confirmed.
We understand that waiting for a diagnosis can be an anxious time. If your symptoms worsen or the lump is rapidly growing, you should contact the person who has referred you (most likely your GP) so they can help manage your symptoms and speak to the most relevant member of the sarcoma team. If you have been given the contact details of a sarcoma keyworker, they can also offer support or information during this time. You can also speak to a trained professional at the Sarcoma UK Support Line on 0808 801 0401.
I have a lump but have not been referred to a sarcoma service
Not all lumps require investigation and management by a specialist team. Many benign lumps do not require any treatment at all. If you have a lump that is greater than 5 centimetres and/or growing, then you should discuss with your GP whether you first require an ultrasound scan. If you are concerned and are unsure whether you should be having further investigations or referral, the Sarcoma UK helpline (https://sarcoma.org.uk/) can give you advice on the best way to talk about this with your GP.
Readable Version Your Sarcoma Referral Explained.pdf [pdf] 673KB
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