Childhood Cancer Facts

"Ewing's Sarcoma" (Bone Cancer)

Incidence:

• Occurs in 0.6 per million people. Accounts for 1% of all childhood cancers. Ewing's Sarcoma accounts for about 30% of all primary bone tumors. The disease usually occurs between the ages of 10 and 20 years old. It is seen more often in males.

Survival Rate:

• Low-risk - 60-70% - (localized tumor)
• Intermediate-risk - 30% - (Tumor has spread to lungs)
• Advanced-risk - Less than 10% - (Tumor has spread beyond to bone, bone marrow and/or other tissue)

Causes:

• Largely unknown.

Description:

• Ewing's Sarcoma is the second most common malignant bone tumor in children. It is frequently found in the flat bones, such as pelvis and ribs, as well as the bones of the arms and legs but can occur in any bone in the body. It commonly spreads to other bones and lungs. Ewing's consists of small round blue cells. James Ewing distinguished the tumor from osteosarcoma on the grounds that it was responsive to radiotherapy.

Current Treatment Options:

• Treatment involves use of a combination of intensive radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Surgical removal of the tumor is also a treatment option for some patients. Current research has cloned these tumor genes, paving the way for more accurate diagnosis and development of new drugs. It will also make it possible to detect residual disease in earlier stages.