Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosisCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Coping
This article will explore the types of Ewing sarcoma, its symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
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Types of Ewing Sarcoma
There are two types of Ewing sarcoma. Each type grows in either the bones or soft tissue, as follows:
Ewing sarcoma used to be known as extraosseous Ewing sarcoma or Askin tumor, terms not used anymore.
Other undifferentiated small round cell tumors are treated like Ewing sarcoma but are not considered Ewing sarcoma.
Ewing Sarcoma Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of Ewing sarcoma can include:
Any of these symptoms should be reported to your child’s healthcare provider immediately.
While there is no definitive cause for Ewing sarcoma, some factors may increase its risk. Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will develop cancer, and having no risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t develop the cancer. They are merely things to keep in mind.
Factors increasing the incidence of Ewing sarcoma include:
Ewing sarcoma is more frequently diagnosed in White individuals rather than in other racial groups. It is rare in Black individuals in the United States.
Many different tests may be used to help diagnose Ewing sarcoma. The tests are chosen based on symptoms, the kind of cancer suspected, the individual’s age and their overall health, and other tests they might have had.
A physical exam and complete medical history are conducted. Tests that may be ordered include:
The imaging tests like X-ray, CT scan, MRI, PET scan, and bone scans locate tumors and can detect if the cancer has spread and to where.
If a tumor is found, a biopsy (sample of the tumor) is taken and examined in the lab to find out what kind of cells are in the tumor.
Other tests performed on the biopsied material may include cytogenetic testing or biomarker testing. These tests can help determine which genetic changes are in the tumor and the characteristics of the cells that make up the tumor, which can help guide treatment.
A pediatric oncologist (a cancer specialist for children) and a multidisciplinary team made up of a variety of professionals should be integral to treating Ewing sarcoma.
Treatment plans can vary based on individual circumstances, butcommon treatments include:
More than 60% of children and teens with cancer are in a clinical trial for their treatment.This is because cancer in children and young adults is fairly rare, and so there are no standardized protocols based on large-scale studies as there are for adults.
SurgeryIn most cases, surgery to remove the tumor will not result in disability. For arms and legs, limb-sparing surgery keeps the limb intact. It may use bone grafts or an internal prosthesis (such as a rod). Amputation is rarely needed.
Surgery
In most cases, surgery to remove the tumor will not result in disability. For arms and legs, limb-sparing surgery keeps the limb intact. It may use bone grafts or an internal prosthesis (such as a rod). Amputation is rarely needed.
Recurrence is most likely within the first two years after treatment is finished, but it’s not uncommon for later recurrences to occur.
The overall five-year survival rate for Ewing sarcoma for those under age 15 is 78%. It is 64% for those 15 to 19 years old.Overall, the five-year survival rate for Ewing sarcoma is 63%.
Based on the spread of the cancer, the five-year survival rate is:
Five-year survival rates look at populations and do not predict an individual’s prognosis or reflect any recent treatment developments. It’s important to remember that each person is different, with a variety of individual factors to take into account. Talk with your treatment team about your or your child’s situation and prognosis.
Cancer and its treatment can be challenging for anyone to deal with, especially children, teens, and the larger family unit. The physical and emotional side effects from treatment can be a lot to handle, especially if there are physical changes like removing a limb or changes in functioning. It’s important to put to gather a support team.
Talk with your or your child’s treatment team about finding support groups, therapists, advocates, and anyone else who can help make treatment less stressful. Let friends and other family know what they can do to help, whether it’s with chores around the house, raising money to help with medical expenses, or simply being a shoulder to lean on.
Summary
Ewing sarcoma is a rare cancer most often diagnosed in children and teens, although it can occur at any age. It is a cancer of the bones or the surrounding soft tissue. It’s thought to be associated with chromosomal changes but is not hereditary.
There are a variety of treatments for it, including chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation therapy. Talk with your treatment team to learn more about your or your child’s diagnosis and the characteristics of the cancer. This will keep you informed and help you make informed decisions regarding care.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Ewing sarcoma.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: an introduction.National Cancer Institute.Ewing sarcoma treatment (PDQ) - patient version.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: Risk factors.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: Diagnosis.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: types of treatment.American Cancer Society.Surgery for Ewing tumors.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: statistics,
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Ewing sarcoma.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: an introduction.National Cancer Institute.Ewing sarcoma treatment (PDQ) - patient version.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: Risk factors.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: Diagnosis.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: types of treatment.American Cancer Society.Surgery for Ewing tumors.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: statistics,
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Ewing sarcoma.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: an introduction.National Cancer Institute.Ewing sarcoma treatment (PDQ) - patient version.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: Risk factors.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: Diagnosis.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: types of treatment.American Cancer Society.Surgery for Ewing tumors.American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: statistics,
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.Ewing sarcoma.
American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: an introduction.
National Cancer Institute.Ewing sarcoma treatment (PDQ) - patient version.
American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: Risk factors.
American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: Diagnosis.
American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: types of treatment.
American Cancer Society.Surgery for Ewing tumors.
American Society of Clinical Oncology.Ewing sarcoma - childhood and adolescence: statistics,
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