Editing Sarcoma (section)

===Bone sarcomas===
{{Main|Bone sarcoma}}
Diagnosis of [[bone sarcoma]]s begins with a thorough history and physical examination which may reveal characteristic signs and symptoms (see Signs and Symptoms above).<ref name=":2" /> Laboratory studies are not particularly useful in diagnosis, although some bone sarcomas (such as osteosarcoma) may be associated with elevated [[alkaline phosphatase]] levels, while others (such as Ewing sarcoma) can be associated with elevated [[erythrocyte sedimentation rate]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|title=Dahlin's Bone Tumors| vauthors = Unni K |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|year=2010|isbn=978-0-7817-6242-7|location=Philadelphia, PA|pages=1–8}}</ref> Importantly, however, none of these laboratory findings are specific to bone sarcomas, meaning that elevations in these lab values are associated with many other conditions as well as sarcoma, and thus cannot be relied upon to conclusively diagnose sarcoma.<ref name=":2" /> 

Imaging studies are critically important in diagnosis, and most clinicians will order a plain [[Radiography|radiograph]] (X-ray) initially.<ref name=":2" /> Other imaging studies commonly used in diagnosis include [[magnetic resonance imaging]] (MRI) studies and [[Bone scintigraphy|radioisotope bone scans]].<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":2" /> A [[CT scan]] is typically  not used in diagnosis of most types of bone sarcoma, although it is an important tool for staging (see below).<ref name=":2" /> Definitive diagnosis requires biopsy of the tumor and careful review of the biopsy specimen by an experienced pathologist.<ref name=":2" />