Childhood cancers

Ewing's sarcoma

Ewing's sarcoma can occur in bone but also in soft tissues, so this disease is sometimes referred to as Ewing's family of tumors. The other more common type of bone cancer is called osteosarcoma.

Ewing's tumors and osteosarcomas occur most often during adolescence. This cancer is most often found in the middle of the long bones of the arms or legs. It is very rare, with only about 200 children and adolescents diagnosed each year in the U.S. It is more common in boys than girls and more common in whites than in other racial groups.

Good progress has been made in treating osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. Since 1950, there has been a 50 percent reduction in deaths in children due to bone sarcomas.

Risk factors
Ewing's tumors are rare. There appears to be no genetic link within families. More boys than girls get the disease, with the disease most often occurring between ages 10 and 20. It is very rare in adults. Chromosomal changes identified in children with Ewing's occur after birth and do not appear to be inherited.

Symptoms
The most common symptom is a lump located on a child's trunk that persists and may feel warm to the touch. Bone pain occurs in the majority of patients. Related symptoms may include fever.

Questions to ask your child's doctor

Diagnosis
Imaging tests such as bone X-rays, MRI, CT scans and nuclear scans can be used to locate a tumor or mass. Routine blood tests will show abnormalities. Needle and open biopsies can then be used to determine if cancer is present and the type of cancer. Sometimes genetic studies can be done to provide more information. Bone marrow aspiration may be recommended to determine if the tumor has spread to the bone marrow. Diagnosing cancer

Treatment
Before cancer is treated, it has to be staged. Staging involves finding out where the cancer is located, the extent of the cancer and whether it has spread. After a tumor is found and staged, the cancer care team will suggest a treatment plan. This is an important decision and it is good to take time and think about all of the choices. Because Ewing's tumors are rare, they should be treated in a major cancer program such as the one at Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital. Our cancer team includes the child's pediatrician as well as specialists (such as pediatric oncologists and orthopedic surgeons) at the Yale Cancer Center.

Treatment for Ewing's tumor can include chemotherapy, surgery and/or radiation therapy. Chemotherapy causes side effects. Be sure to discuss these side effects thoroughly with the pediatric oncologist before your child begins therapy.

Clinical trials, protocols and research


Learn more
• YNHH Health Library: Ewing Sarcoma

Last revised: Jan. 8, 2008 (dh)

Home page URL: http://www.ynhh.org

All information is intended for your general knowledge and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.