Soft-tissue Sarcoma Pathway
Referral Criteria for suspected soft tissue Sarcoma
Urgent referral = the patient is offered an appointment within 10 working days of referral
A patient who presents with symptoms suggesting sarcoma should be referred to a sarcoma diagnostic clinic specialising in the management of sarcoma.
The sarcoma diagnostic clinic is held on Thursday mornings in the Diagnostics Department of Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr.
If a primary healthcare professional has concerns about the interpretation of a patient’s symptoms and/or signs, a discussion with the local specialist should be considered.
Patients with increasing, unexplained or persistent bone pain or tenderness, particularly pain at rest (and especially if not in the joint), or an unexplained limp should be investigated by the primary healthcare professional urgently. The nature of the investigations will vary according to the patient’s age and clinical features.
- In older people metastases, myeloma or lymphoma, as well as sarcoma, should be considered.
Refer urgently patients:
Soft tissue sarcomas
In patients presenting with a palpable lump, an urgent referral for suspicion of soft tissue sarcoma should be made if the lump has one or more of the following features;
- greater than about 5 cm in diameter
- deep to fascia, fixed or immobile
- painful
- increasing in size
If there is any doubt about the need for referral, discussion with a local specialist should be undertaken.
A suspected recurrence after previous excision should be referred to the soft tissue sarcoma treatment centre.
If a patient has HIV disease, Kaposi’s sarcoma should be considered and a referral made.
Definitions
‘Urgent’: the patient offered an appointment within 10 working days of referral.
‘Persistent’ as used in the recommendations in this guideline refers to the continuation of specified symptoms and/or signs beyond a period that would normally be associated with self-limiting problems. The precise period will vary depending on the severity of symptoms and associated features, as assessed by the healthcare professional. In many cases, the upper limit the professional will permit symptoms and/or signs to persist before initiating referral will be 4– 6 weeks.
‘Unexplained’ refers to a symptom(s) and/or sign(s) that has not led to a diagnosis being made by the primary care professional after initial assessment of the history, examination and primary care investigations (if any).
Please ensure referrals are sent via the E-Referral System
Any clinical queries should be directed to Claire Lusted, Sarcoma Specialist Nurse, on 07805787 681 or