Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumors

Diagnosis

Mayo Clinic's Molecular Anatomic Pathology Laboratory helps doctors make a timely and accurate diagnosis of desmoplastic small round cell tumors (DSRCTs). These tumors may require specialized tests for diagnosis, including molecular genetic tests.

In addition, specialists may use some of the following tests and imaging. In tests that involve radiation, specialists carefully monitor doses to avoid the risk of radiation overexposure.

• Ultrasound. During an ultrasound, a technician moves a wand-like device (transducer) over the surface of your abdomen. High-frequency sound waves form images on a screen that can identify desmoplastic tumors.
• Computerized tomography (CT). CT scans generate cross-sectional images of the body that can show whether cancer has spread to other tissues or organs. All CT scanners at Mayo Clinic use spiral CT technology, and several CT scanners use multidetector row spiral technology, which creates 3-D images.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI technology uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the area affected by the desmoplastic tumor. This highly sensitive technology can identify small abnormalities.
• Positron emission tomography (PET). To perform a PET scan, doctors inject a radioactive form of sugar (glucose) into your bloodstream. The scan helps show if a tumor has spread, because tumors typically pick up the sugar and appear on the image as "hot spots."
• Biopsy. In a biopsy, a pathologist removes a small tissue sample and looks under a microscope for cancer cells. Doctors may use a thin, hollow needle to draw cells from your body (fine-needle aspiration). For a small desmoplastic tumor, the doctor may remove the entire mass during the biopsy.

Read more about ultrasound, CT scan, MRI, PET scan and biopsy.