Ewing's Sarcoma: The Facts

What is it?

Ewing's sarcoma is a unique type of tumor that typically begins in the bones or in the soft tissue surrounding the bones. Most Ewing's sarcoma tumors are found in the long bones of the arm and the leg. They can also be found in the pelvic bone located at the hips. These tumors occur when cell growth cannot be controlled by the body.

Ewing's sarcoma is named for the doctor who first described it, Dr. James Ewing. If a Ewing tumor is located in the soft tissue of the body, it is called Extraosseous Ewing's, or EOE. Primitive neuroectodermal tumor, or PNET, is another type of tumor that is similar to Ewing's sarcoma. Ewing's sarcoma, EOE or PNET all come from the same type of cells. As a group, they are referred to as Ewing's family of tumors.

Staging is a system made up of a common language designed by health professionals, as a way to communicate disease related information. Staging is used by physicians to determine if cancer has spread to different parts of the body. In Ewing's sarcoma, the stages have not yet been numbered. Instead, the extent of the cancer is described in the following ways:

• Localized: The cancer cells or tumors are only found in the bone or area where they began.
  
  
• Metastatic: The cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body such as the lung, other bones, or the bone marrow (the spongy fluid that fills the inside of the long bones).
  
  
• Recurrent: Recurrent Ewing's sarcoma occurs when the cancer comes back even though it has already been treated. Recurrent cells can be found either in the original location or in other places in the body and can lead to the presence of additional tumors.
  

Symptoms

Some of the first signs of Ewing's sarcoma are tender lumps that feel hot or pain and swelling around the bones.

It is common for children to experience painful bumps for a number of reasons. Often times children get similar bumps from playing or falling. Not all bumps are cancer. Only a doctor can tell you if you or your child has Ewing's sarcoma or any other type of cancer. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor to see if any tests are needed.

How is it detected?

A number of tests can be done to identify and located tumors on the bone and surrounding tissues.

• X-Ray: Most often X-rays are taken of the bone that is thought to have a tumor. During an X-ray, your child will need to lie still for a few minutes. X-rays give off electromagnetic waves with a very short wavelength. A doctor or medical technician will be able to see if there are tumors present. The procedure is relatively painless and the X-ray will result in a picture showing the bone.
  
  
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): An MRI machine is like an X-ray machine, but it takes a more detailed, three-dimensional picture of the bones. By using magnets to measure the energy in the body, MRI's can create pictures of all parts of the bones. This procedure is also typically a painless one. The patient lies still and the MRI machine moves to take the pictures.
  
  
• CT (Computerized Tomography) Scan: During a CT scan, the patient lies still as an imaging machine circles around the body part being investigated. The machine measures the amount of rays that pass through the body and the bone and a computer compiles the images to form a 3-D picture.
  
  If one or more of these tests show that a tumor is present, a doctor will often follow up with more testing to find out if the tumor is cancer.
  
  
• Needle Biopsy: During a needle biopsy, the patient is put in a sleeplike state so that no pain is felt during the procedure. A hollow needle is then pushed into the skin down to the tumor. A sample of cells from inside the tumor is removed. The cells are then taken to a lab and examined to see if they are cancer.
  
  
• Open Biopsy: An open biopsy is performed when the patient is in a sleeplike state. An incision will be made in the skin and the bone will be exposed. A small piece of this bone will be shaved and sent to a lab to be examined.
  
  
• CBC (Complete Blood Count): A complete blood count is a common blood test that identifies the different types of cells in the blood. A sample of blood is drawn with a needle, usually placed in the arm. The main cells that make up the blood are red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. The cells are suspended in a fluid called plasma. Abnormal test results can show that the cancer has affected the bone marrow.
  

Is it curable?

The success of treatment of Ewing's sarcoma, like all cancer treatments, depends on many factors such as the general health, age, and history of the patient.

• About 2/3 (or 66%) of patients with localized Ewing's sarcoma become long term survivors (more than five years).
  
  
• Patients with metastasized Ewing's sarcoma have a survival rate of less than 30%.
  

If you found this information helpful, please consider making a donation to the Rhode Island Cancer Council so we may continue adding content to our website and providing valuable services to Rhode Island residents. Please click the Donate icon to the left to make a donation via credit card or your PayPal account.

See also: