Ewing's Sarcoma

Ewing's Sarcoma is the 2nd most common bone cancer.   Ewing's Sarcoma targets the bones or the soft tissue surrounding the bone.  It is highly aggressive and it metastasizes rapidly. It originates in the long bones of the arms and legs or the pelvis or chest, sometimes in the organs. It is so rare, that most doctors have little to no experience treating it.  According to the American Cancer Society, about 225 children and teens and young adults are diagnosed annually with the disease in North America. They account  for only about 1 percent of pediatric cancers. Researchers have found that Ewing's sarcomas are caused by genetic changes (Chromosomal Translocation) that happen after birth, it does not run in families. There are less than 1000 cases per year. 

Symptoms: Swelling and soreness around the tumor, which is typically misdiagnosed for a sports injury. A low-grade fever that seems to be caused by an infection. Bone pain that normally worsens at night and during exercise. Limping caused by the tumor.

Treatment: Ewing's is typically treated with a mixture between chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. When using chemotherapy, a lot of time they will do combination therapy. Meaning they will use more than one drug at a time. Surgery will occur to attempt to remove as much of the tumor as possible. Radiation therapy is used to kill cancer cells that they weren't able to remove during surgery. 

Survival:  

• About 70 percent of children with Ewing sarcoma are cured.
• Teens aged 15 to 19 have a lower survival rate of about 56 percent.
• For children diagnosed after their disease has spread, the survival rate is less than 30 percent.
• Children whose tumors are larger or located in the pelvis, ribs or spine are less likely to be cured.