Delayed Diagnosis of Soft Tissue Sarcomas
Diagnosis of soft tissue sarcomas can encounter significant delays leading to poorer patient outcomes. Should GPs be quicker to refer for specialist opinion?
Soft tissue sarcoma status
Soft tissue sarcomas are a rare form of cancer with only approximately 3000 people per year being diagnosed with the condition in the UK. A soft tissue sarcoma can develop anywhere in the body and at any age but are often found in the digestive system, behind the abdomen or in the female reproductive system.
Its rarity may account for why it is frequently misdiagnosed or under-investigated leading to a delay in treatment and probable worse outcome for the patient. Despite recommendations by both the Department of Health and the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence regarding the diagnosis and management of the disease, there seems to be a low rate of suspicion of malignancy and consequent on-referral.
Diagnosis delays and survival rates
The survival rate of soft tissue sarcomas is currently thought to be about 60% but there is recognition that this statistic could be improved with earlier diagnosis, referral and treatment.
Delays in diagnosis of soft tissue sarcomas appears to be common, occasionally taking years rather than months. It is thought that a delay of greater than six months from initial presentation can make a significant difference in the long-term survival chances of the patient due to the likely continued growth of the tumour and the resulting impact on the success of surgery and the greater chance of the cancer spreading. It may also increase the chance that the patient will require an amputation.
Although more young people develop sarcoma in comparison to other cancers, the survival rates decrease with age. The prognosis is also dependent on the stage of development of the sarcoma at the point of treatment.
Diagnosis and Referral
Delays in diagnosis may be due to patient reluctance to investigate the problem but research has suggested that most diagnosis delays are due to GP failures, either through misdiagnosis or failure to refer to a specialist clinic.
A soft tissue lump is not necessarily a malignant sarcoma and so may be ignored for this reason. Current recommendations are that any lump in excess of 4 - 5cm, that is increasing in size, that is deep to the fascia rather than superficial, is accompanied by pain or is a recurrence of a previously removed lump, has a greater likelihood of malignancy and should be investigated.
According to the Department of Health, there should be a delay of no longer than two weeks for a patient suspected of having cancer to be seen by a specialist but there have been cases of delayed sarcoma diagnosis of months and even years.
Medical Negligence
Contact Glynns Solicitors if you have suffered a poor outcome due to a delayed diagnosis. We are a team of specialist medical negligence solicitors and would be happy to advise whether you may have a claim for compensation.
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