What is Ewing's sarcoma?

Ewing's sarcoma is named after Dr James Ewing who described the tumour in the 1920s. It is a cancer which can develop anywhere in the body. It usually starts in a bone, most commonly one of the bones of the hips, upper arm or thigh. Although often thought of as a bone tumour, this condition can develop in the soft tissue near bones.

What causes Ewing's sarcoma?

The cause of Ewing's sarcoma / PNET remains unknown.

What are the signs and symptoms?

Symptoms of Ewing's sarcoma vary from person to person and depending on the location and size of the cancer. The most common symptoms are pain and swelling or tenderness in the affected area. Pain may become very intense when the tumour is located near important nerves, like in the sacrum, pelvis or spine. Swelling is often seen, especially when the long bones of the arms or legs are affected.

Sometimes the tumour can interfere with movement and can weaken the bones, occasionally leading to a fracture. Other symptoms of cancer may include tiredness, fever, weight loss, and anaemia. None of these symptoms is a sure sign of cancer; if you suspect you have a health problem consult your doctor.

Who was Ewing's sarcoma named after? James Ewing, 1866-1943, first described the tumour that was to be named after him in the 1920's. It was Ewing's work which established that the disease was separate from lymphoma and other types of cancer known at that time. Ewing was originally born in Pittsburgh and embarked on his medical career in 1888. In 1899 he was appointed as the first Professor of Pathology at Cornell University where he developed a keen interest in cancer. He was a co-founder of both the American Association for Cancer Research in 1907 and the American Cancer Society in 1913. He was also a pioneer in the use of radiotherapy in the treatment of cancer.

Information taken from : http://www.cancerindex.org/ccw/faq/ewings.htm#q31

Additional Links:

The Children's Cancer Web

FAQ - Ewing's Sarcoma

The Ewing's Sarcoma and Pediatric Cancer Support Group Resources Page from The Cure Our Children Foundation - wealth of resources including what to do at the time of diagnosis, standard protocol of drugs, new drugs and new therapies and more

E-Sarcoma listserv - communicate with other parents and patients with Ewing's sarcoma

American Cancer Society

National Cancer Institute

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine