Ewing sarcoma

Ewing sarcoma - Illnesses & conditions | NHS inform Home Illnesses and conditions Symptoms and self-help Tests and treatments Healthy living Care, support and rights Scotlands Service Directory 0 Home Illnesses and conditions Cancer Cancer types in adults Ewing sarcoma Ewing sarcoma Ewing sarcoma is a rare type of bone cancer. The 3 main types of primary bone cancer are chondrosarcoma, osteosarcoma and Ewing sarcoma. Ewing sarcoma most commonly affects people who are 10 to 20 years old. Sarcomas A sarcoma is a type ofcancerthat develops in the bodys supporting tissues. Bone sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas are the 2 main types. Ewing sarcoma usually occurs in bone. It most commonly develops in the: pelvis bone(hips) thigh bone(femur) shin bone (tibia) However,the conditioncan also develop in the soft tissues surrounding the bone or joint. This type of Ewing sarcoma is known as extraosseous, which means outside the bone. Symptoms of Ewing sarcoma The symptoms of Ewing sarcoma will depend on the size of the cancer and where it is in the body. The main symptoms are pain in the affected area that gets progressively worse, and swelling and tenderness. Other possible, but less common, symptoms may include a high temperature (fever), severe tiredness and weight loss. In some cases of Ewing sarcoma, there may not be any symptoms at all. However, as the tumour grows it could weaken the affected bone, increasing the risk of fracture. What causes Ewing sarcoma? Likeother types of bone cancer, the exact cause of Ewing sarcoma isunknown. As thecondition tends to predominantly affect older children and teenagers, one theory isthat it may be related to fast-growing bones. The rapid growth spurt thathappens during pubertymay in some way make bone tissue more vulnerable to cancer. Research has also found babies born with anumbilical hernia are 3 times more likely to develop Ewing sarcoma. However, the increased risk is still small as only 1 in 110,000 children with an umbilical hernia will go on to develop the condition. The Cancer Research UK website has more information about the risks and causes of bone cancer . Diagnosing Ewing sarcoma Whenyou visit your GP because of bone pain, theyll ask you about your symptoms and examine the affected area. Your GP may refer you foran X-ray to check for anything abnormal. Ifabnormalities are found, youll be referred to an orthopaedic surgeon (a bone specialist). They may recommend that youhave a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to examine the area in closer detail. A bone biopsy may be carried out to confirm whether cancer is present. A fine needleis used to remove a sample of bone marrow from the affected area so it can be examined under a microscope. It can either be carried out using a general anaesthetic or a local anaesthetic . The Cancer Research UK website has more information about tests for bone cancer and the stages of bone cancer . Treating Ewing sarcoma Like all types of cancer, the earlier Ewing sarcoma is diagnosed, the easier it is to treat. Ewing sarcoma is usually treated with a combination of chemotherapy ,surgery and radiotherapy. Chemotherapy may be used before surgery to shrink the tumour and make it easier to remove. Ewing sarcoma also responds well to radiotherapy . It can be used to shrink the tumour after chemotherapy, and before or after surgery to lower the risk of the cancer returning. In some cases, surgically removing Ewings sarcoma can be difficult for example, if it develops in the pelvis. In this case, radiotherapy may be used as the main treatment. Surgery If surgery is recommended, the type youll have will depend on: the size of the tumour where it is in your body whether it hasgrown into the tissues surrounding the bone You may have surgery to remove part or all of the bone affected by cancer. This type of surgery is known as resection. Limb-sparing surgeryinvolves removing the area of bone on an arm or legwhere the cancer is growing. A piece of metal (prosthesis) or a bone graft will be used to replace the piece of bone that is removed. In some cases, your whole arm or leg may need to be removed ( amputation ).This may be the only optionto prevent the cancer returning if its spread into the tissues surrounding the bone. For more information about the types of treatment for bone cancer , visit the Cancer Research UK website. Living with bone cancer If youre diagnosed with bone cancer, it can be upsetting andfrightening.Knowing as much about the type of cancer you have and the best treatment options will help youmake decisions. The majority of people who have surgery for bone cancer have a limb-sparing procedure. However, for some people, having their limb amputated may be the best option. This can be a very difficult situation to cope with and you may experience emotions such as grief and bereavement . Its important to seek help and talk about how youre feeling. You could talk toyour partner, family, friends or the healthcare professionals in charge of your care. Talking to others will help you come to terms with your condition and treatment. There arealso a number of practical issues youll need to deal with, such as financial mattersand coping with day-to-day activitiessuch as school, college or work. The Cancer Research UK website has more informationon coping with bone cancer . Information about you If you or your child hasEwing sarcoma, your clinical team will pass information about you/your child on to the National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Diseases Registration Service (NCARDRS). This helps scientists look for better ways to prevent and treat this condition. You can opt out of the register at any time. Find out more about the register Source: NHS 24 - Opens in new browser window Last updated: 13 November 2023 How can we improve this page? Help us improve NHS inform Thank You Your feedback has been received Dont include personal information e.g. name, location or any personal health conditions. 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