Ewing's Sarcoma Treatment & Symptom

Ewing's sarcoma is a type of bone cancer named after Dr James Ewing, who identified the tumour in the 1920s. It is a rare disease in which cancer cells are found in the bone or in soft tissue. Ewing's sarcoma can occur in any bone, but is most often found in the extremities and can involve muscle and the soft tissues around the tumor site. Ewing's sarcoma cells can also spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body, most often to the lung, but less commonly to the bone marrow, kidneys, heart, adrenal gland, and other soft tissues. Like osteogenic sarcoma, it usually occurs between the ages of 10 and 25, is seen more often in males, and frequently spreads to other bones and the lungs. Young people with this type of cancer usually have more general signs fever, chills, and weakness than are present in osteogenic sarcoma. Because the symptoms can point to other conditions, definitive diagnosis depends on biopsy. A bone survey, bone scans, chest x-rays, lung tomograms, liver scans, and brain scans may be done as well to look for evidence of metastases. Treatment of Ewing's sarcoma most often consists of chemotherapy and or radiation, and surgery.

Causes of Ewing's Sarcoma

Common Causes of Ewing's Sarcoma :

• This disease most often occurs in young people between the ages of 10 and 20. Boys are affected more often than girls.
• Most commonly occurs in white children; rarely ever in African American or Asian children.

Symptoms of Ewing's Sarcoma

Some common Symptoms of Ewing's Sarcoma :

• Fever.
• Pain at the site of the tumor.
• A feeling of exhaustion.
• Swelling at the site of the tumor (occasionally).
• Weight loss.
• Fatigue.
• Stiffness.
• Bone pain or tenderness.

Treatment of Ewing's Sarcoma

• Radiation therapy.
• Chemotherapy.
• Antibiotics (to prevent and treat infections).
• Surgery.
• Supportive care (for the side effects of treatment).
• Amputation.
• Rehabilitation including physical and occupational therapy, and psychosocial adaptation.
• Continual follow-up care (to determine response to treatment, detect recurrent disease, and manage late effects of treatment) .