Ewing Sarcoma

Ewing sarcoma is a type of cancer that starts in the cells of the bones and the soft tissues surrounding them. It's most common in children and young adults, but can affect people of any age.

This cancer usually starts in the bones of the legs or pelvis, but it can develop in any bone in the body. Sometimes, it begins in the soft tissues of the chest, abdomen, arms, or other areas.

Significant improvements in how Ewing sarcoma is treated have led to better outcomes. More young people diagnosed with this cancer are surviving longer. However, the powerful treatments used can sometimes cause long-term side effects. Doctors often recommend ongoing checkups to watch for these after-effects.

Ewing sarcoma is a type of cancer that usually begins in the bones, often near the legs or pelvis. When the cancer is in the bones, common signs include:

• A noticeable bump or swelling: This might appear in the arm, leg, chest, or pelvis.
• Bone pain: This pain can be constant or come and go.
• A broken bone (fracture): Ewing sarcoma can weaken bones, making them more likely to break.
• Pain, swelling, or tenderness near the affected area: The area around the bone where the cancer is growing may be sore, swollen, and/or painful to touch.

Sometimes, Ewing sarcoma causes symptoms that aren't directly related to the bone. These more general symptoms can include:

• Fever: A persistent fever could be a sign of the cancer.
• Unexpected weight loss: Losing weight without trying can be a symptom of many illnesses, including cancer.
• Fatigue or tiredness: Feeling unusually tired all the time is a common symptom.

If you or your child are experiencing any of these signs and symptoms that are lasting or worrying, make an appointment with a doctor right away. Early diagnosis is important for effective treatment.

If you or your child are experiencing ongoing health concerns that are troubling you, please schedule an appointment with a doctor or other healthcare provider.

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Ewing sarcoma, a type of cancer, has an unclear cause.

Cancer happens when the instructions in a cell's DNA become flawed. Think of DNA as a cell's instruction manual. Normal DNA tells cells to grow and divide at a specific pace, and to die at a specific time.

But in cancer cells, the DNA instructions are messed up. These faulty instructions tell cancer cells to grow and multiply rapidly, ignoring the normal signals to stop growing or die. This is why cancer cells live much longer than healthy cells.

These rapidly dividing cancer cells can form a lump called a tumor. The tumor can grow bigger and push into and damage healthy tissues. Cancer cells can also break off from the tumor and travel to other parts of the body. This spread of cancer is called metastasis.

In Ewing sarcoma, the DNA changes usually affect a gene called EWSR1. Doctors might test the cancer cells to see if this gene is altered if they suspect Ewing sarcoma. If the test shows changes in this gene, it can help confirm the diagnosis.

Ewing sarcoma is a type of cancer that mostly affects children and young adults. While it can occur at any age, it's more frequently seen in this age group. Another factor that seems to increase the risk is having European ancestry. This cancer is less common in people of African or East Asian descent.

Unfortunately, there's no known way to prevent Ewing sarcoma.

Ewing sarcoma, a type of cancer, can sometimes spread from its original location to other parts of the body. This often happens in the lungs and other bones.

Treating Ewing sarcoma usually involves strong medicines and therapies. These powerful treatments can have significant side effects, both immediately during treatment and later on. For example, some common side effects might include nausea, fatigue, or hair loss. Your medical team can help you manage these side effects as they arise. They can also discuss potential long-term side effects that might develop after treatment, and how to watch for them.

Diagnosing Ewing sarcoma often starts with a physical check-up by a doctor. Based on what they find, more tests might be needed.

These tests create pictures of the inside of your body to help pinpoint where the cancer is and how big it is. These imaging tests can include:

• X-rays: These are basic pictures that show bones and other structures.
• MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): These detailed pictures use magnets and radio waves to show soft tissues, like muscles and organs.
• CT scans (Computed Tomography): These scans use X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body.
• Bone scans: These scans help to see if the cancer has spread to the bones.
• PET scans (Positron Emission Tomography): These scans use a radioactive substance to show areas of high activity in the body, which can indicate the presence or spread of cancer.

A biopsy is a crucial step in confirming the diagnosis. A biopsy involves taking a small piece of tissue from the suspected tumor. This tissue sample is then sent to a lab for testing. There are different ways to do a biopsy:

• Needle biopsy: A thin needle is used to remove a tissue sample directly from the tumor.
• Surgical biopsy: In some cases, a small surgical procedure is needed to remove a sample of the tumor for testing.

The lab analyzes the tissue sample to see if it's cancerous. Further tests look at the characteristics of the cancer cells.

A biopsy is essential to confirm the diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma. The results from the biopsy and other tests help the medical team create a personalized treatment plan.

Crucially, the lab tests the cancer cells to find specific changes in their DNA. Ewing sarcoma cells often have changes in a gene called EWSR1. In many cases, the EWSR1 gene joins with another gene called FLI1, creating a new gene called EWS-FLI1. Knowing if these gene changes are present helps doctors confirm the diagnosis and understand the specific type of Ewing sarcoma.