On reading this page, the chances are that your child may already have had a number of investigations to receive the diagnosis of  cancer.

They may have received some of the following, and may receive more to provide a baseline for commencing treatment. Investigations enable the cancer to be assessed and staged. This makes it possible to assess which areas the cancer has affected and whether it has spread.

  • Ultrasound scan

  • CT (computed tomography) and / or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan or both

  • Bone marrow biopsy

  • A biopsy of the tumour or the tumour may have been removed during surgery and the diagnosis of a rhabdoid tumour made after surgery
  • Bone scan in some cases

  • Your child will also need a range of:

    • Blood tests
    • ECG (electrocardiogram) or heart tracing
    • Cardiac echo - an ultrasound of the heart looking at how it looks and functions
    • Chest xray and other xrays
    • Urinalysis

Further information

My child has been diagnosed with a rhabdoid tumour - see our rhabdoid tumour information resources