Sarcoma

First Appointment

Your first appointment at Fred Hutch Cancer Center is a time for you and your medical oncologist to meet. You might meet your advanced practice provider, too. 

You will talk about your diagnosis, sarcoma type, grade, stage and likely treatment. This visit is also a time for us to start getting to know you as a person. This helps us fit our recommendations to you. Together, you and your care team will decide what needs to happen next.

We encourage you to bring a family member or friend to your first appointment (and any future visits). 

Grade In cancer, a grade is a description of a tumor based on how abnormal the cancer cells and tissue look under a microscope and how quickly the cancer cells are likely to grow and spread. In cancer, a grade is a description of a tumor based on how abnormal the cancer cells and tissue look under a microscope and how quickly the cancer cells are likely to grow and spread. Low-grade cancer cells look more like normal cells and tend to grow and spread more slowly than high-grade cancer cells. Grading systems are different for each type of cancer. They are used to help plan treatment and determine prognosis. Also called histologic grade and tumor grade. Medical oncologist A physician who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer in adults using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy and targeted therapy. A physician who has special training in diagnosing and treating cancer in adults using chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy and targeted therapy. A medical oncologist is often the main health care provider for someone who has cancer. A medical oncologist also gives supportive care and may coordinate treatment given by other specialists. Stage The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

Staging Sarcoma

Staging means finding out how far your sarcoma has spread within the tissue where it started or to other parts of your body. Accurate staging helps your doctor predict which treatments are most likely to control your disease or put it into remission. 

Remission A decrease in, or disappearance of, signs and symptoms of cancer. A decrease in, or disappearance of, signs and symptoms of cancer. In partial remission, some (but not all) signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared. In complete remission, all signs and symptoms of cancer have disappeared, although cancer still may be in the body. Staging Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from where it first formed to other parts of the body. Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from where it first formed to other parts of the body. It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan the best treatment.
Stages of sarcoma

Sarcoma staging can be complicated, and it can be different depending on your subtype. In general, doctors use Roman numerals I (one), II (two), III (three) and IV (four) to name the stages of sarcoma. Stage I is the least advanced, and stage IV is the most advanced. Some stages can be subdivided even more, based on the unique features of your diagnosis. 

Stage The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body. Staging Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from where it first formed to other parts of the body. Performing exams and tests to learn the extent of the cancer within the body, especially whether the disease has spread from where it first formed to other parts of the body. It is important to know the stage of the disease in order to plan the best treatment.
Staging tests

To find out the stage of your sarcoma, you will need imaging tests and a biopsy. Imaging tests give your care team a visual of your tumor, so they can see its size and how far it has spread. 

Then, a biopsy will confirm that there are cancer cells and show how abnormal the cancer cells look. 

If your sarcoma is in a bone and you are over 40 years old, your doctor will recommend that you have a CT scan of the lungs and abdomen and a total body bone scan to see if your cancer may have started somewhere else in the body and spread to the bones. 

Imaging tests to stage sarcoma 

Imaging tests to stage sarcoma may include:

  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Computed tomography (CT) scans
  • Positron emission tomography (PET) scans
  • Bone scans

Biopsy 
Either with surgery or guided by an X-ray machine, a sample of the tumor is taken. This allows pathologists to examine and understand your cancer so they can classify it for treatment. 

Biopsy The removal of a sample of tissue or fluid that is examined to see whether cancer is present. This may be done with a large needle or through surgical removal of tissue or fluids. Bone scan A procedure to check for abnormal areas or damage in the bones. A bone scan may be used to diagnose bone tumors or cancer that has spread to the bone. A procedure to check for abnormal areas or damage in the bones. A very small amount of radioactive material is injected into a vein and travels through the blood. The radioactive material collects in the bones and is detected by a scanner (a special camera that takes pictures of the inside of the body). A bone scan may be used to diagnose bone tumors or cancer that has spread to the bone. It may also be used to help diagnose fractures, bone infections or other bone problems. [removed comma] Computed tomography A procedure that uses a computer linked to an X-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are used to create three-dimensional (3-D) views of tissues and organs. A procedure that uses a computer linked to an X-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are taken from different angles and are used to create three-dimensional (3-D) views of tissues and organs. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the tissues and organs show up more clearly. This scan may be used to help diagnose disease, plan treatment or find out how well treatment is working. Computed tomography A procedure that uses a computer linked to an X-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are used to create three-dimensional (3-D) views of tissues and organs. A procedure that uses a computer linked to an X-ray machine to make a series of detailed pictures of areas inside the body. The pictures are taken from different angles and are used to create three-dimensional (3-D) views of tissues and organs. A dye may be injected into a vein or swallowed to help the tissues and organs show up more clearly. This scan may be used to help diagnose disease, plan treatment or find out how well treatment is working. Imaging In medicine, a process that makes pictures of areas inside the body. Imaging uses methods such as X-rays (high-energy radiation), ultrasound (high-energy sound waves) and radio waves. Magnetic resonance imaging A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. A procedure in which radio waves and a powerful magnet linked to a computer are used to create detailed pictures of areas inside the body. These pictures can show the difference between normal and diseased tissue. MRI makes better images of organs and soft tissue than other scanning techniques, such as computed tomography (CT) or X-ray. MRI is especially useful for imaging the brain, the spine, the soft tissue of joints and the inside of bones. Pathologist A physician who has special training in identifying diseases by studying cells and tissues under a microscope. Stage The extent of a cancer in the body. Staging is usually based on the size of the tumor, whether lymph nodes contain cancer and whether the cancer has spread from the original site to other parts of the body.

Resources for Patients and Caregivers

Here are tips about how to get ready for your first appointment at Fred Hutch and what to bring.

Just like every patient’s situation is different, every caregiver may be asked to help with different tasks. Learn how you can offer support during a first visit.

Caregiver A person who gives care to people who need help, such as children, older people or patients who have chronic illnesses or disabilities. A person who gives care to people who need help taking care of themselves, such as children, older people or patients who have chronic illnesses or disabilities. Caregivers may be health professionals, family members, friends, social workers or members of the clergy. They may give care at home, in a hospital or in another health care setting.
Caregiver icon
Caregiving at the first appointment

As a caregiver, you can give your loved one both emotional and practical support for their first appointment. Ask them if you can help with things like these:

  • Helping them manage their stress, worry or other feelings.  
  • Planning how to get to and from the appointment, what time to leave home and where to park.
  • Making a list of questions they want to ask the doctor. (Fred Hutch’s Guide to Your Care (PDF) has a list of questions they may want to ask the care team.) At the appointment, make sure that all their questions get answered.
  • Taking notes during the visit. The doctor will be giving a lot of details, which can be hard to remember later without notes.

Resources for Caregivers

Caregiver A person who gives care to people who need help, such as children, older people or patients who have chronic illnesses or disabilities. A person who gives care to people who need help taking care of themselves, such as children, older people or patients who have chronic illnesses or disabilities. Caregivers may be health professionals, family members, friends, social workers or members of the clergy. They may give care at home, in a hospital or in another health care setting.
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