Ewing's sarcoma facts for kids
Ewing's sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that mostly affects bones. It's named after Dr. James Ewing, who first described it in 1921. This cancer is usually found in children and teenagers, especially those between 10 and 20 years old. It's more common in boys than in girls. It's very rare for adults over 30 to get Ewing's sarcoma.
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What is Ewing's Sarcoma?
Ewing's sarcoma is a type of tumor that grows in bones or, less often, in soft tissues like muscle or fat. It's part of a group of cancers called sarcomas, which are cancers of connective tissues. The most common places for Ewing's sarcoma to appear are the long bones of the legs and arms, the pelvis (hip bone), ribs, and spine.
How Does it Start?
Scientists don't fully know why Ewing's sarcoma starts. It's not caused by anything a person does or doesn't do. It's also not something you can catch from someone else. This cancer happens when certain cells in the bone grow out of control and form a tumor.
Signs and Symptoms
People with Ewing's sarcoma often notice a few key signs. It's important to remember that these symptoms can also be caused by other, less serious conditions. However, if they last a long time or get worse, it's a good idea to see a doctor.
Pain and Swelling
The most common symptom is pain in the area where the tumor is growing. This pain might get worse at night or with activity. Sometimes, there might also be a lump or swelling that you can feel or see. This swelling can make it hard to move the affected body part.
Other Symptoms
Besides pain and swelling, some people with Ewing's sarcoma might also experience:
- Fever: A high body temperature that doesn't go away.
- Weight loss: Losing weight without trying.
- Feeling very tired or weak.
- A bone breaking easily: In some cases, the tumor can weaken the bone so much that it breaks from a minor injury or even without one.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If a doctor suspects Ewing's sarcoma, they will do several tests. These might include X-rays, MRI scans, and biopsies. A biopsy involves taking a small piece of the tumor to look at under a microscope. This is the only way to confirm if it's cancer.
Treatment Options
Treating Ewing's sarcoma usually involves a combination of different methods. These can include:
- Chemotherapy: Using medicines to kill cancer cells throughout the body.
- Radiation therapy: Using high-energy rays to kill cancer cells in a specific area.
- Surgery: Removing the tumor and some surrounding healthy tissue.
The treatment plan depends on where the tumor is, its size, and if it has spread to other parts of the body. Doctors work hard to create the best plan for each patient.
Images for kids
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Distribution of Ewing sarcoma: The most frequent locations are the large long bones and the pelvis.
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Micrograph of a metastatic Ewing sarcoma with the characteristic cytoplasmic clearing on H&E staining, which was showing to be PAS positive
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Magnetic resonance imaging slice showing Ewing sarcoma of the left hip (white area shown right)
See also
In Spanish: Sarcoma de Ewing para niños
