Ewing Sarcoma

What is Ewing Sarcoma

Ewing sarcoma is an abnormal growth of cells that is cancerous (malignant). It grows in bones or in the soft tissues near bones. It is usually found in longer bones of the arms or legs.

The most common bones to be affected include the pelvis, thigh bone (femur), ribs, spine, bones of the lower leg (tibia and fibula), and the bones of the upper arm (humerus). However, it can occur in other bones or soft tissues in the body.

What are the causes?

The exact cause of Ewing sarcoma is not known.

What increases the risk?

Risk factors include:

  • Gender. It is more common in males.
  • Race. It is more common in White people.
  • Age. It is most common in children who going through puberty.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

  • Fever.
  • Bones that break easily.

Your child may also have pain, tenderness, stiffness, swelling, or a soft, warm lump on his or her arms, legs, chest, back, or pelvis.

How is this diagnosed?

Your child’s health care provider will perform a medical history and physical exam. Other tests that may be done include:

  • X-ray.
  • Bone scan.
  • MRI.
  • CT scan.
  • A tissue sample test (biopsy).
  • PET scan.
  • Bone marrow sample.
  • Blood tests.

If Ewing sarcoma is found, it will be staged to determine its severity and extent. Staging is an assessment of:

  • The size of the tumor.
  • If the cancer has spread.
  • Where the cancer has spread.

How is this treated?

Treatment for Ewing sarcoma depends on the stage of the cancer. Treatment may include one or more of the following:

  • Chemotherapy. This uses medicines to kill the cancer cells.
  • Radiation therapy. This uses high-energy rays to kill the cancer cells.
  • Surgery. This removes as much of the cancer as possible. In rare cases, removing the affected limb (amputation) may be necessary.
  • Biological therapy. This uses your child’s body’s defense system (immune system) to fight the cancer cells.

Your child’s health care provider may recommend that your child take part in a clinical trial. This may include targeted or combination chemotherapy, stem cell transplant, or treatment with a monoclonal antibody, which is also called biological therapy.

Follow these instructions at home:

  • Give medicines only as directed by your child’s health care provider.
  • Keep all follow-up visits as directed by your child’s health care provider. This is important.
  • Consider joining a Ewing sarcoma support group for you and your child.
  • Seek advice from your child’s health care provider to help your child to manage side effects of treatment.

Contact a health care provider if:

  • Your child has a fever.
  • Your child’s pain is not controlled with medicines.
  • Your child’s symptoms get worse.
  • Your child has new symptoms.
  • Your child has side effects from treatment.

Get help right away if:

  • Your child is suddenly unable to move an affected arm or leg.
  • Your child faints.
  • Your child has trouble breathing.
  • Your child has chest pain.
  • Your child has a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
  • Your child who is younger than 3 months old has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.
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