The Solid Tumor Team at the Cancer Center at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia includes a multidisciplinary team of highly experienced and compassionate professionals who will provide expert management of your child’s Ewing sarcoma. Many of our oncologists are also actively involved in researching and developing new therapies to treat this type of cancer.
What is
Ewing sarcoma is a family of bone tumors that includes:
-
Ewing tumor of bone - Extraosseous
Ewing (tumor that grows outside the bone) - Primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), or peripheral neuroepithelioma
- Askin's tumor (PNET of the chest wall)
In 1921, Dr. James Ewing described a bone tumor that was different from the more common osteosarcoma. The major difference was that it could be treated with radiation. At first the tumor was thought only to be found in bone, but it was later learned that the same type of tumor was also found in soft tissues; this form was named extraosseous (outside bone) Ewing (EOE).
In the 1990s it became clear that Ewing sarcoma, EOE, PNET and Askin's tumor are all actually the same disease, with identical molecular and biological properties.
Who is diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma?
Ewing sarcoma most frequently occurs in teenagers, though it also occurs in infants and middle-aged adults. It is found slightly more often in males than females. The legs are most commonly affected. The next most common sites are the pelvic bones, spine and ribs.
What are the signs and symptoms of
Pain and swelling are the most frequent symptoms.
How is
Diagnostic tools include:
- Tissue biopsy (removal of tissue for inspection under a microscope)
- X-rays
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
- Computed tomography (CT) scans
- Nuclear medicine bone scans
- PET (positron emission tomography) scans
How is
Before the development of chemotherapy, almost all patients with Ewing sarcoma died from having the tumor spread throughout their bodies, even though the primary (original) tumor was treated with surgery or radiation therapy. That is why today we use chemotherapy (anti-cancer medicines that reach cancer cells anywhere in the body). It is still important to treat the primary tumor with surgery, radiation therapy, or a combination. The entire treatment process takes about seven months.
Late effects/cancer survivorship
Most patients with Ewing sarcoma are cured of their cancers, and lead more normal lives. Some children treated for Ewing sarcoma develop complications years later. All survivors benefit from making healthy life choices, and having information available about their cancer and its treatment. Our Cancer Survivorship Program provides this information, and has ways of monitoring and treating late effects should they occur.
Reviewed by: Richard Womer, MD, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Date: November 2009
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