Getting diagnosed
It can be hard for GPs to decide who may have cancer and who might have a more minor condition. For some symptoms, your doctor may ask you to wait to see if the symptoms get better or respond to treatment, such as antibiotics.
Your GP might arrange for you to have some tests first. This will help them decide if you need to see a specialist.
There are guidelines for GPs to help them decide who needs a referral. These vary between the different UK nations. Your GP will use these guidelines as well as their own experience and judgement.
You will see a specialist or have tests as soon as possible. Ask your GP when this is likely to be.
In Scotland the guidelines group adult bone cancers and soft tissue sarcomas together.
The guidelines say that your GP should arrange an , to be done within 2 weeks, if you have an unexplained lump that is increasing in size. You should then have an urgent referral to a specialist if either:
it looks like you might have soft tissue sarcoma
the results of the scan are uncertain and your doctor thinks that you might have sarcoma
Your GP might decide to refer you directly to a specialist without you having an ultrasound first. This depends on your situation.
There are specific guidelines for children (0 to 15 years) and young people (16 to 24 years).
Your GP should refer children and young people for an urgent , to be done within 2 days, if they have an unexplained lump that is increasing in size. If the results of the scan are concerning or look like a sarcoma, they should see a specialist within 2 days.
These are guidelines only. So your GP may decide to refer you or your child directly to a specialist (without doing tests first). This depends on your situation.
You should have an urgent referral to a specialist if you have a soft tissue lump and one or more of the following. The lump:
is getting bigger in size over weeks to months
is 5cm or more in size – unless you have had the lump for a long time
feels deep and is difficult to move around
feels hard or has uneven edges
has broken through the skin and is an open wound
is in an area where you have had another lump removed
is in an area where you have had before
You should have an urgent referral to a specialist if you have had:
an that shows you might have soft tissue sarcoma
an that shows you might have a bone cancer
Your GP should also consider referring you to a specialist if your x‑ray doesn’t show bone cancer but you have seen a GP two or more times about a lump or bone pain.
Your GP should arrange an x-ray if you have bone pain or tenderness which cannot be explained and:
has not gone away or is getting worse over 6 weeks or more
happens at night or when you are resting
is interfering with your daily life
You might also have blood tests.
Your GP might arrange for you to have an ultrasound if you have a soft tissue lump that could be cancer.
You should have a referral to the specialist team that look after the likely if your x-ray shows that you might have:
cancer that has spread to the bone
Scotland has separate guidelines for suspected cancer for children, teenagers and young adults. Your GP can discuss this with you in more detail.
Your GP will consider any other symptoms you have, so do mention these.
Read more about the possible symptoms of soft tissue sarcoma
Your GP might also take into account whether you have any risk factors that affect your chances of developing sarcoma.
Go to the risk and causes of sarcoma
Sometimes you might feel that your GP is not concerned enough about your symptoms. If you think they should be more concerned, print this page and the symptoms page. Ask your GP to explain why they don’t think you need a referral.
Contact your GP again if your symptoms don't get better or you notice any new or unusual symptoms.
If your GP has referred you to a specialist, ask them when you should get your appointment. Contact them again if you don’t get one. Or some hospitals have a referral service you could try contacting if you know which hospital you are going to. Explain that you are waiting for an urgent suspected cancer referral.
Go to more information about an urgent referral, what to expect and questions to ask
Your hospital is working towards waiting time targets. For example, a target to find out whether you have cancer or not. And there are targets to start treatment if you are diagnosed with cancer. These are slightly different depending on where you live in the UK.
Last reviewed: 08 Jul 2024
Next review due: 08 Jul 2027
The most common symptoms include a lump that's painless, increasing in size, or pain or soreness as the lump grows and presses against nerves and muscles.
You usually start by seeing your GP. They will examine you and might refer you for tests or to a specialist.
There are some things you can do to get the most out of your GP appointment if you have symptoms of a soft tissue sarcoma.
Soft tissue sarcomas are cancers that develop in the supporting tissues of the body. These include tissues such as the muscle, nerves, fat and blood vessels.
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