Ewing's sarcomas, or Ewing's tumors, are a category of cancers that form in the bones or soft tissues. Ewing's sarcomas usually form in the pelvis, chest or legs, particularly the long bones. Rarely, tumors grow in the skull or flat bones of the trunk.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 225 children and teens are diagnosed annually with the disease in North America. They account for about 1 percent of pediatric cancers.
Researchers have found that Ewing's sarcomas are caused by genetic changes that happen after birth. However, it is not known why some people develop the disease. It is not passed down in families.
About two-thirds of Ewing's sarcoma patients become long-term survivors of the disease.
Ewing's sarcoma types
Ewing's sarcomas are categorized into three types. While each type is slightly different, they all are caused by the same gene abnormalities and are treated in the same way.
- Ewing's sarcoma of the bone: This is the most common type of Ewing's sarcoma.
- Extraosseous Ewing tumor (EOE): These tumors form in soft tissues around bones.
- Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PPNET): An extremely rare type of cancer, these tumors share certain characteristics with Ewing's sarcoma of the bone and EOE.
If your child has been diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, we're here to help. Call 866-348-3095 to make an appointment or .
Ewing's sarcoma risk factors
Although the exact cause of Ewing's sarcoma is not known, certain things seem to put people at higher risk of developing the disease.
- Gender: More males that females develop Ewing's sarcoma.
- Race: Children who are white (non-Hispanic or Hispanic) are at higher risk. Ewing's sarcoma is very rare in other races.
- Age: Ewing's sarcoma usually develops in teenagers.
Learn more about Ewing's sarcoma:
In rare cases, Ewing's sarcoma can be passed down from one generation to the next. Genetic counseling may be right for you. Visit our genetic testing page to learn more.
Learn more about clinical trials for Ewing's sarcoma.
Pediatric cancer patients¡¯ dreams take flight
Jacob Ballard always knew he wanted to be an engineer. Now, the 17-year-old Ewing¡¯s sarcoma survivor has his sights set on NASA as a future employer. It¡¯s all because of MD Anderson Children¡¯s Cancer Hospital Arts in Medicine program, which helps pediatric patients feel better mentally, physically and spiritually as they go through treatment.
Jacob is one of hundreds of young patients who participated in the Arts in Medicine program¡¯s most recent undertaking: the design of three spacesuits. Over the course of several months, the children painted pieces of art by hand that were sewn onto a replica spacesuit. The second suit, which was created primarily by pediatric patients isolated during their treatments, is a real flight suit. The third suit will be an international suit involving other hospitals.
¡°The spacesuit looks so cool,¡± says Jacob, who has contributed to two of the suits. ¡°It¡¯s neat to know so many people worked together to make it happen. One of the best things about it is that before she passed away, a really good friend of mine was able to paint elephants on the sleeve over an area I painted on the suit that's going to space.¡±
Why choose MD Anderson for Ewing's sarcoma care?
At MD Anderson's Children's Cancer Hospital, each child with Ewing's sarcoma has a team of highly specialized experts who customize your child's treatment to ensure the most effective therapy with the least impact on the body ¨C now and in the future.
Ewing's sarcoma is rare, and many doctors have little experience with treating it. Our physicians are among the world's most highly trained and experienced in treating Ewing's. This can translate into a better outcome in many cases.
Diagnosis and treatment
Accurate diagnosis of Ewing's sarcoma can be challenging, but it is essential to successful treatment. Our pathologists are dedicated to sarcoma, and they use the latest, most-sophisticated tests to pinpoint the type and extent of the cancer.
Ewing's sarcoma often requires a multi-therapy approach. Using the latest advances in complex limb-sparing surgeries, our surgeons are often able to avoid amputation if the cancer is in an arm or leg. If amputation is needed, we offer specialized rehabilitation.
Advancing research
Many children with Ewing's sarcoma are treated with clinical trials. We participate in trials of the and offer other innovative therapies available at only a few hospitals in the nation. Our researchers have helped make many advances, including using drug combinations to treat Ewing's sarcoma.
Our Osteosarcoma and Ewing's Sarcoma Center coordinates care and streamlines and speeds access to clinical trials. In addition, sarcoma researchers work with physicians to translate laboratory research into new clinical trials, which are especially beneficial for patients with relapsed or refractorysarcoma.
Comprehensive care
Children's Cancer Hospital is designed just for children, with a full range of services and amenities that help make the child and family's experience as comfortable as possible. We go beyond medical care to deliver a comprehensive experience that treats the whole child. And at Children's Cancer Hospital, you're surrounded by the strength of one of the nation's top cancer centers.
If your child has been diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, we're here to help. Call 877-632-6789 to make an appointment or request an appointment online.
I can body surf, bike and hike and still enjoy those things. On stage, I can still play music and jam with my friends. It¡¯s awesome.
Specialized orthopedic oncology procedures preserve patients¡¯ active lifestyles
You¡¯d never guess that Luke Adkins is a cancer survivor by looking at him.
But the 24-year-old paramedic had his entire left knee and part of his femur replaced with an endoprosthesis (an artificial bone and joint) in 2011 due to osteosarcoma, and MD Anderson¡¯s Orthopaedic Oncology department has kept him active and on his feet.
¡°I feel very fortunate,¡± Luke says. ¡°I live in Lubbock, and removal of my leg was pretty much the only option if I had been treated there.¡±
Second opinion yields internal prosthesis
Instead of having his leg amputated, Luke came to MD Anderson for a second opinion. He ended up working with , who leads our Orthopaedic Oncology department.
¡°I was in Houston for about a month after the surgery, and when I left, I walked out of hospital,¡± Luke says. ¡°I fully credit MD Anderson and Dr. Lewis for that.¡±
Today, high-impact sports such as running, skiing and wakeboarding are no longer an option for Luke. But having an artificial knee and internal prosthesis has not prevented him from achieving any of his career goals. Luke works in the physically demanding field of emergency medicine. He also serves as a member of his county¡¯s volunteer fire department, which required him to pass a physical fitness test.
¡°I have no regrets,¡± Luke says. ¡°I get around just fine. Some things are harder than others, but I don¡¯t have any pain, and I don¡¯t take any medicines. This has limited me in nothing.¡±
Orthopaedic Oncology¡¯s goal is to have patients walking again
MD Anderson¡¯s?Orthopaedic Oncology program is unique, Lewis explains, because we¡¯re one of only a few places that uses a multi-disciplinary approach. A team of professionals from almost a dozen different areas ¡ª including plastic surgery, psychiatry, and prosthetics ¡ª play a part in developing patients¡¯ care plans.
¡°What set us apart from other institutions are our skill, our approach and the integration of individualized patient-centered physical therapy at the start of treatment,¡± she says.
?¡°Our main plan is to have you here in 20 or 30 years,¡± Lewis says. ¡°But our job isn¡¯t over when we leave the operating room. Our job is over once we have you walking and back to your life. As a team, our ultimate goal is to get you back to functional status as quickly as possible.¡±
MD Anderson?helps college athlete stay on the volleyball court
Another patient helped by?MD Anderson¡¯s?Orthopaedic Oncology team is Jillian Williams. She is a 19-year-old college athlete who didn¡¯t want cancer to keep her from playing volleyball.
¡°I thought I had a torn meniscus,¡± she says. ¡°But when I was diagnosed with?Ewing¡¯s sarcoma?in my left knee, I only had two questions: ¡®Am I going to lose my hair?¡¯ and ¡®Am I going to lose my leg?¡¯¡±
Ultimately, Jillian chose to have part of her femur removed in July 2016. She also had a procedure called a rotationplasty, in which the lower portion of the leg is rotated and reattached backwards so that the ankle can function as a type of knee joint.
Patients who have rotationplasties tend to stay more physically active after surgery and handle their prostheses more easily.
¡°Dr. Lewis told me I had two options: amputation or rotationplasty,¡± Jillian says. ¡°I asked her which one would let me be the most active. When she told me I could still play sports with a rotationplasty, that was it. I want to play volleyball again. And I expect to be back on the court again by next fall.¡±
Staying active after hemipelvectomies
Other success stories from?MD Anderson¡¯s?Orthopaedic Oncology department include?Jacob Ballard?and Matt Alcantara. Both had a surgical procedure called a hemipelvectomy, in which one entire side of the pelvic bone is removed.
Jacob is a teenage Ewing¡¯s sarcoma survivor who completed a difficult hike over rough terrain just one year after surgery. And Matt is a 22-year-old osteosarcoma survivor who works as a waiter by day and plays guitar in an alternative reggae jazz band by night.
¡°I feel like I still live a pretty normal life,¡± Matt says. ¡°I can body surf, bike and hike and still enjoy those things. On stage, I can still play music and jam with my friends. It¡¯s awesome.¡±
?or by calling 1-877-632-6789.?
MD Anderson's Children's Cancer Hospital
