Soft Tissue and Bone Pathology

Sarcomas of bone and soft tissue are a remarkably diverse and complex group of malignancies, affecting both paediatric and adult populations, and are rare when compared with other forms of human malignancy. Their diagnosis and management require a coordinated team approach from a multidisciplinary team which includes, amongst others, Surgeons, Pathologists, Radiologists, Medical Oncologists, and Radiation Oncologists. The management decisions in patients with sarcomas rest upon tissue diagnosis, and pathologists play a key role in this process.

The principal concern of the diagnostic biopsy procedure is to obtain sufficient viable and representative material for accurate diagnosis and classification, but this must be offset by considerations regarding therapeutic / surgical options and possible procedure related complications.

Without careful planning, biopsies may adversely affect patient treatment and outcome as a result of misdiagnosis or procedural complications. Pre-Biopsy planning by the treating multidisciplinary team (Surgeon, Pathologist, Radiologist, Oncologist, Radiotherapist) therefore is essential. Inappropriate biopsy technique and assessment leads to significant problems in patient management and adversely impact on prognosis. Errors in diagnosis may lead to inadequate or incorrect treatment.

PathWest pathologists are active in multidisciplinary teams involved in the management of patients with sarcoma in Western Australia, including a weekly multidisciplinary meeting.