Ewing Sarcoma Case Study

Ewing sarcoma is an abnormal growth of cells that is cancerous (malignant). It grows in bones or tissues near bones. It is usually found in longer bones of the arms or legs. The thigh bone (femur) is the bone most often affected, followed by the bones of the pelvis, lower leg, upper arm (humerus), and chest.

CAUSES

The exact cause of Ewing sarcoma is not known.

RISK FACTORS

Risk factors include:

• Gender. It is more common in males.

• Race. It is more common in white people.

• Age. It is most common in children going through puberty.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Symptoms may include:

• Fever.

• Bones that break easily.

• Painful or hot-to-the-touch lumps or swelling on your child’s arms, legs, chest, back, or pelvis.

DIAGNOSIS

Ewing

sarcoma may be diagnosed by:
Your health care provider may ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam. Other tests that may be done include:
• X-ray.

• Bone scan.

• MRI.

• CT scan.

• A tissue sample test (biopsy).

• PET scan.

• Bone marrow sample.

• Blood tests.

If Ewing sarcoma is found, it will be staged to determine its severity and extent. Staging is an assessment of:

• The size of the tumor.

• If the cancer has spread.

• Where the cancer has spread.

TREATMENT

Treatment for Ewing sarcoma depends on the stage of the cancer. Treatment may include one or more of the following:

• Chemotherapy. This uses medicines to kill the cancer cells.

• Radiation therapy to kill cancer cells.

• Surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible. In rare cases, removing the affected limb (amputation) may be necessary.

• Biological therapy. This uses your body’s defense (immune) system to fight the cancer cells.

HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS

• Give medicines only as directed by your child’s health care provider.

• Keep all follow-up visits as directed by your child’s health care provider.

• Consider joining an Ewing sarcoma support group for you and your child.

• Seek advice to help your child manage side effects of treatment.

SEEK MEDICAL CARE IF:

• Your child has a fever.

• Your child’s pain is not controlled with

medicines.
• Your child’s symptoms get worse.
• Your child has new symptoms.

SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL CARE IF:
• Your child is suddenly unable to move an affected arm or leg.
• Your child faints.
• Your child has trouble breathing.
• Your child has chest pain.
• Your child has a rapid or irregular heartbeat.
• Your child who is younger than 3 months old has a temperature of 100°F (38°C) or higher.