Diagnostic Pathways

Patient and healthcare-professional perspectives differed on symptom timing, early progression and causes of delay. Healthcare professionals sometimes attributed sarcoma symptoms to common or benign causes such as musculoskeletal strain, sports injury, cartilage damage or infection. Benign attribution by healthcare professionals often led to misdiagnosis, repeated GP visits and inappropriate referrals, especially to physiotherapy. Poor communication about possible malignancy could lead patients to accept long waits or continue normal activity without understanding the seriousness of the condition.