Overview
Ewing sarcoma is a rare and aggressive cancer that forms in the bone or soft tissue, most commonly in children and adolescents. It usually affects the pelvis, femur, ribs, and chest wall.
Symptoms
- Pain or swelling at the tumor site
- Fever or fatigue
- Bone fracture with minor trauma
- Limping or decreased movement
Causes & Risk Factors
- Exact cause unknown; associated with a chromosomal translocation (EWSR1-FLI1)
- Most common in children and teenagers
- Slight male predominance
- Not strongly linked to inherited genetic syndromes
Diagnosis
- X-ray, MRI, or CT of affected area
- Biopsy with cytogenetic testing
- Bone scan or PET-CT
- Bone marrow biopsy (to rule out spread)
Treatment Options
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (initial systemic treatment)
- Surgical resection (limb-sparing or resection of affected bone)
- Radiation therapy (if surgery is not feasible or for residual disease)
- Adjuvant chemotherapy (after local treatment)
Prognosis
- 5-year survival for localized disease: ~70%
- Worse prognosis for metastatic or relapsed disease
- Prognosis improves with good chemotherapy response and complete surgical resection
Living with this Cancer Type
- Physical rehabilitation and growth support (in young children)
- Psychosocial support and peer integration
- Long-term monitoring for late effects of chemotherapy and recurrence
Prevention & Screening
- No known prevention methods
- No standard screening; early evaluation of persistent bone pain is key
FAQs
Q: Is Ewing sarcoma a childhood cancer?
A: Yes, most commonly occurs in people under 20 years old.
Q: Can it be cured?
A: Yes, especially if localized and treated aggressively with chemo and surgery.
Q: Does it affect growth?
A: It may, especially if the growth plates are involved or due to treatment effects.
Resources
- CureSearch for Children’s Cancer
- American Cancer Society
- ClinicalTrials.gov
Understand Precision Testing
Learn how liquid biopsy and chemo sensitivity testing can personalize your treatment plan.
Make Informed Decisions
Gain knowledge to actively participate in treatment discussions with your healthcare team.
Improve Treatment Outcomes
Discover how precision medicine and metabolic therapies can enhance treatment effectiveness.
Start Your Educational Journey Today
Empower yourself with knowledge about precision metabolic oncology and take an active role in your cancer care journey.
Need More Information?
Our team of oncology experts is here to help you understand your diagnosis and treatment options.