Solitary Fibrous Tumors

Diagnosis

To help determine the best treatment options, physicians at Mayo Clinic combine the latest diagnostic techniques with their extensive experience diagnosing solitary fibrous tumors.

Medical History

A first step toward diagnosing a solitary fibrous tumor is an in-depth interview with the patient. A physician gathers details about the patient's symptoms and when they first appeared.

Physical Examination

Once the physician has the patient's medical history, a physical examination is next. The physician will feel the area in question for lumps or swelling, and check areas where the patient reports pain. The physician may also order blood tests and a urine analysis.

Imaging Studies

To diagnose solitary fibrous tumors, specialists at Mayo Clinic use one or more of the high-resolution imaging studies below.

• X-rays generate two-dimensional views of the body to help physicians locate abnormalities.
• Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images that can reveal a tumor. A technician places a wandlike device (transducer) on the body surface near the suspected tumor and monitors the image on the screen.
• Computed tomography (CT) scans generate two-dimensional images of the tumor that may reveal whether it remains localized. New technology at Mayo Clinic also allows three-dimensional reconstruction of the CT images.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses magnetic fields and radio waves to create images of small abnormalities in the body's soft tissues in two- and three-dimensional views.
• Positron emission tomography (PET) technology uses radioactive materials to identify metabolically active tissues that may be cancerous.

Biopsy

To confirm a suspected solitary fibrous tumor, a physician may remove a small piece of tissue for examination (biopsy). Depending upon the tumor's location, tissue from a suspected tumor may be collected using fine-needle aspiration. Experienced Mayo pathologists examine the tissue under a microscope.