Ewing Sarcoma – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Ewing sarcoma is a cancer that develops from cells in bones and surrounding soft tissues. This condition primarily affects children and young adults, though it can occur at any age.
The most common sites for Ewing sarcoma are the leg bones and pelvis, but it can develop in any bone. Less frequently, it originates in soft tissues of the chest, abdomen, arms, or other areas.
Treatment for Ewing sarcoma has improved significantly in recent years, leading to better survival rates among young patients. However, the intensive treatments often used to combat this cancer can cause long-term side effects.
For this reason, healthcare providers typically recommend ongoing monitoring after treatment completion.
The strong treatments needed to fight Ewing sarcoma may lead to late effects that require attention years after treatment ends. Regular follow-up care helps identify and address these potential complications early.
Signs and Symptoms
Ewing sarcoma often starts in and around bones, especially in the legs and pelvis. When this cancer affects a bone, it can cause several noticeable problems.
Common symptoms in the affected bone area include:
- A noticeable lump in the arm, leg, chest or pelvis
- Pain in the bone
- Broken bones that happen without a major injury
- Swelling or tenderness around the affected area
This type of cancer can also cause symptoms that affect your whole body, such as:
- Unexplained fever
- Weight loss without trying
- Feeling very tired all the time
When to Visit Your Doctor
If you or your child has any ongoing symptoms that concern you, don’t wait to make an appointment with a healthcare provider. Early detection is important for proper treatment.
Causes
Doctors aren’t fully certain what triggers Ewing sarcoma to develop. This cancer begins when cells experience changes in their DNA – the genetic instructions that control cellular behavior.
In normal cells, DNA provides clear directions for growth, multiplication, and death at appropriate times.
When DNA changes occur in cancer cells, the instructions become altered. These genetic changes tell cells to multiply rapidly and avoid the natural death process. This uncontrolled growth can form a mass called a tumor.
The tumor may grow and damage healthy tissue nearby. Eventually, cancer cells might break away from the original tumor and travel to other body areas—a process known as metastasis.
For Ewing sarcoma specifically, DNA changes most commonly involve a gene called EWSR1. When healthcare providers suspect this cancer, they often test the abnormal cells to check for changes in this particular gene.
These genetic changes aren’t inherited from parents but instead develop during a person’s lifetime for reasons that remain unclear. Scientists continue researching the exact triggers that cause these DNA alterations to occur.
Risk Factors
Ewing sarcoma is more likely to occur in certain groups based on two main factors:
- Age: Children and young adults face a higher risk, though this condition can affect people of any age.
- Ancestry: People with European heritage develop this condition more frequently compared to those with African or East Asian ancestry.
Currently, there is no known way to prevent Ewing sarcoma from developing.
Problems That May Happen
Ewing sarcoma can sometimes spread from its starting location to other areas in the body. Most often, it travels to the lungs and to different bones. This spreading can make treatment more challenging and may affect the outlook for patients.
Treatment Effects That Last a Long Time
The strong treatments used to fight Ewing sarcoma can cause serious side effects, both right away and years later. Your healthcare team will help manage these effects during treatment.
They will also give you information about what symptoms to watch for after your treatment ends.
