Handbook of Genetic Counseling/Ewing's Sarcoma

Ewing's Sarcoma

What is Ewing's sarcoma/PNET?

a cancer that can start in bone or soft tissues
most common sites for are the pelvis, the thigh, and the trunk of the body
peak ages are 10-20, but younger children and older adults can also get it
half are under 15 years
less common before 5 or after 30
no known cause
cells in the tumours have a piece of chromosome 11 moved to chromosome 22
85% contain chromosomal translocation at the t(11;22)(q24;q12)
the genetic change occurs only in the tumour cells, not in the sperm or egg
2.5% of cases of childhood cancer
development of the tumour appears to be in some way related to periods in life with rapid growth, hence the average for tumour development is 14-15 years
slightly more common in boys than in girls
most common early signs are pain and swelling
can spread to other parts of the body
always requires treatment to the whole body (chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy)

vary from person to person depending on the location and size of the cancer
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 log bones of the arms or legs are affected
tiredness, fever, weight loss, and anaemia

The information in this outline was last updated in 2002.