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If your primary physician has been unable to diagnose your symptoms,
or has a low suspicion of cancer, the guide below will be appropriate
for you. We recommend that you read through it in its entirety to prepare
for your first appointment to our Sarcoma Clinic, but you can also click
on the links below to get a quick answer to a specific question.
What should I bring to my first appointment or forward ahead of time?
What can I expect during my first appointment?
What if additional tests are needed?
What if a biopsy is needed?
When can I expect to receive a diagnosis?
How will treatment be handled?
What if I don’t have insurance, or don’t know whether my insurance will cover treatment?
What if I live far away from Huntsman Cancer Institute?
How do I get to Huntsman Cancer Institute?
Do you provide lodging recommendations and other visitor information?
Resources
What should I bring to my first appointment or forward ahead of time?
NEXTTOP
Frequently, X-ray and MRI images, lab test results and clinic notes from
your referring physician will contain clues that can assist the Sarcoma Service
staff in determining the diagnosis of, and appropriate treatment for your symptoms.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you provide this information to us before
or during your initial examination.
Because X-rays and MRI images can be expensive to mail, we suggest that you
bring these with you to your first appointment. Other documentation, such as lab
results, your physician’s clinic notes and radiographic reports can be faxed ahead
to (801) 585-0159, ATTN: Julie Knight. Physician referrals can also be faxed ahead,
and often are necessary depending on the requirements of your insurance provider.
What can I expect during my first appointment?
PREVIOUSNEXTTOP
As a new patient of Huntsman Cancer Institute and the Sarcoma Clinic, you will meet
with a member of the Sarcoma Service staff who will perform a physical examination
and document your medical history. You will also consult with a surgical oncologist
to discuss your symptoms and review the images, notes and test results you have provided.
At this point, the surgical oncologist will determine whether additional testing or a
biopsy is necessary and will discuss the next steps with you.
We recommend you bring a book or something to occupy your time while you wait for your
appointment. We recognize that you may be feeling very anxious about your symptoms, but
we strive to give each patient and their family the time they need to ask questions and
discuss treatment issues. It is often hard to adhere strictly to a schedule in these
circumstances, so we appreciate your patience and promise to treat you in accordance
with the same standard.
What if additional tests are necessary?
PREVIOUSNEXTTOP
Additional tests and studies may be necessary to assist the surgical oncologist with
either diagnosis or treatment decisions. These can often be scheduled for the same
day as your clinic appointment or the following day. It is possible that the results
of these test and studies will need to be reviewed before a biopsy can be performed.
What if a biopsy is necessary?
PREVIOUSNEXTTOP
Biopsies are generally performed in an operating room under full anesthesia. In rare
cases, however, a biopsy can be done during your clinic appointment under a local
anesthetic. Sometimes, we will be able to remove your tumor at the same time that
the biopsy is performed. In all cases, the timing and method of biopsy depends on
the type and size of tumor.
Biopsies can often be scheduled within two days of your initial clinic visit, but in
some cases may be scheduled within one to two weeks. We always try to accommodate
patients, especially those who have traveled a great distance.
When can I expect to receive a diagnosis?
PREVIOUSNEXTTOP
We will have a preliminary diagnosis immediately following the biopsy, which will
enable us to proceed in the appropriate manner with any necessary treatment. The
final diagnosis may take up to one week, and in most cases, we’ll ask you to call
Julie Knight at (801) 585-5418 to obtain these results. However, if your preliminary
diagnosis is Sarcoma, we will do our best to accelerate a final diagnosis and will
follow up with you as soon as we have this information.
How will treatment be handled?
PREVIOUSNEXTTOP
Treatment depends on diagnosis.
If you have a non-cancerous condition, we will usually schedule a post-operative
follow-up appointment two to three weeks after the biopsy. During this appointment,
you will meet again with the surgical oncologist who will discuss any further
treatments deemed necessary. Should you desire, we will provide you with names
for a second opinion on your diagnosis or treatment options.
If your diagnosis is sarcoma, you will be seen as soon as possible by both our
surgical and medical oncologists to discuss a treatment regimen. If you would like
a second opinion on your diagnosis or treatment options, we will provide referrals
to you. Treatment will begin as soon as you are ready following your first appointment
at the Sarcoma Clinic. If radiation is necessary, we will schedule an appointment for
you with one of our radiation oncologists. Should you require chemotherapy, the medical
oncologist’s staff will assist you in arranging hospitalization and treatment. If the
sarcoma was not fully removed during biopsy, a follow-up surgery may also be scheduled.
However, we often prefer first to treat the tumor with chemotherapy in an attempt to
reduce it in size before surgical removal.
What if I don’t have insurance, or don’t know whether my insurance will cover treatment?
PREVIOUSNEXTTOP
If you don’t have insurance or do not know whether your policy will cover treatment,
please contact our financial counselor at (801) 585-0128. They can determine whether
you qualify for state medical assistance or other programs that fund medical treatment.
If you have an insurance policy, they can also help you determine how much coverage it
will provide.
What if I live far away from Huntsman Cancer Institute?
PREVIOUSNEXTTOP
You are not alone. More than 25% of our patients live more than three hours away from
Salt Lake City. This can often make follow-up care logistically difficult to arrange.
While we prefer to handle follow-up care in person, it may be possible for us to
coordinate some of your care with local physicians. For instance, we may work with
your family physician to handle post-surgical wound care, or with a local oncologist
to administer a chemotherapy regimen. This is not an ideal approach to treatment, but
we recognize that in some cases, circumstances may necessitate special arrangements.
How do I get to Huntsman Cancer Institute?
PREVIOUSNEXTTOP
Huntsman Cancer Institute is located on the University of Utah campus just east of the
University Hospital and Clinics. Directions, map
and parking information is available online.
Do you provide lodging recommendations and other visitor
information?
PREVIOUSNEXTTOP
Yes, lodging and visitor information is available online.
Resources
PREVIOUSTOP
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