MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Ewing’s sarcoma

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Ewing’s sarcoma

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Support Groups Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider

Illustrations

X-ray

Ewings sarcoma - X-ray

Alternative names Return to top

Ewing's Family of Tumors; Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors (PNET)

Definition Return to top

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

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Ewing 's sarcoma can occur any time during childhood, 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 trauma (pathologic fracture). Fever may also be present.

The tumor often spreads (metastasis) to the lungs and other bones. Metastasis is present in approximately one-third of children with this condition at the time of diagnosis.

Symptoms Return to top

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

Signs and tests Return to top

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

Treatment Return to top

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 Return to top

The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See cancer - support group.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

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 Return to top

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

Calling your health care provider Return to top

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

Update Date: 4/23/2004

Updated by: Samuel Blackman, M.D., Department of Pediatrics,Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2002 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.