During Sarcoma Awareness Month, Dr. Priya Suresh is calling on all radiology staff to be more vigilant in recognizing the signs of sarcoma and to take on expanded responsibilities in combating the rare and potentially fatal form of cancer.
Suresh, who is vice president of the British Society of Skeletal Radiologists and medical director of education and training at the U.K. Royal College of Radiologists, has been a core member of sarcoma multidisciplinary teams for 18 years. She is also chair of the Peninsula Sarcoma Advisory Group in South West England.
Dr. Priya Suresh.Courtesy Dr. Priya Suresh/Sarcoma UK
The radiology-led pathway she established in 2009 has reportedly had a 99% success rate in seeing patients within the crucial two-week wait period, even with rising referral rates.
Suresh characterizes the approach as a shift in practice, with radiologists taking clinical histories, examining patients, and guiding next steps rather than simply reviewing scans. In her experience, this pathway has made a dramatic difference in patient experiences. Radiologists can provide answers quickly, alleviating anxiety in the case of benign lesions; when suspicious lesions are identified, the pathway enables quick escalation and action.
This approach is essential as sarcomas present challenges in diagnosis due to an often-subtle early presentation and the expertise required for diagnosis, making early detection critical, she pointed out.
Radiologists need to work closely with sonographers, oncologists, plastic surgeons, histopathologists, and clinical nurse specialists in a sarcoma multidisciplinary team. "This collaboration is essential to patient-centered care," Suresh said.
During July, Sarcoma UK is targeting healthcare professionals, including radiologists, with its awareness campaign. The organization is offering a comprehensive online guide to help radiologists detect imaging signs of sarcoma, noting the critical role these specialists play in early detection.
Sarcoma UK's online guide for radiologists is available on its website.
