Health Encyclopedia

Ewing’s sarcoma

Definition

Ewing's sarcoma is a malignant (cancerous) bone tumor that affects children.

Alternative Names

Ewing's family of tumors; Primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNET)

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Ewing's sarcoma can occur any time during childhood and young adulthood, but usually develops during puberty, when bones are growing rapidly. It is uncommon in African-American, African, and Chinese children.

The tumor may arise anywhere in the body, usually in the long bones of the arms and legs, the pelvis, or the chest. It may also develop in the skull or the flat bones of the trunk.

There are few symptoms. The most common is pain and occasionally swelling at the site of the tumor. Children may also break a bone at the site of the tumor after a seemingly minor injury (this is called a "pathologic fracture"). Fever may also be present.

The tumor often spreads (metastasis) to the lungs and other bones. Metastasis at the time of diagnosis is present in approximately one-third of children with Ewing's sarcoma. Rarely, Ewing's Sarcoma can occur in adults.

Symptoms

Fever (can occur)
Pain at the site of the tumor
Swelling at the site of the tumor (occasionally)

Signs and tests

If a tumor is suspected, tests to locate the primary tumor and any spread (metastasis) often include:

Treatment

Treatment should be done by a cancer specialist (oncologist) and often includes a combination of:

Chemotherapy
- Cyclophosphamide
- Vincristine
- Dactinomycin
- Doxorubicin
- Ifosfamide
- Etoposide
Radiation therapy to the tumor site
Surgical excision (removal) of the primary tumor

Support Groups

For additional information and resources, see cancer support group.

Expectations (prognosis)

The prognosis depends on the location of the tumor, and whether or not the cancer has spread. The best chance for cure is with a combination of treatments that includes chemotherapy plus radiation or surgery, provided at an institution that frequently treats this type of cancer.

Complications

The treatments needed to fight this disease have many complications, which should be discussed on an individual basis.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if your child has any of the symptoms of Ewing's sarcoma. An early diagnosis can increase the possibility of a favorable outcome.

References

Clin J Oncol Nurs. 2008:12(1):89-97.

Skubitz KM, D'Adamo DR. Sarcoma. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007:82(11):1409-32.

Review Date:3/21/2008
Reviewed By:Stephen Grund, MD, PhD, Chief of Hematology/Oncology and Director of the George Bray Cancer Center at New Britain General Hospital, New Britain, CT. Review provided byVeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.