If your child has been diagnosed with a Ewing’s sarcoma, you are probably wondering what the next step is. Working with an experienced neurosurgeon will help you and your family explore all of the treatment options available.
About Ewing’s Sarcoma
Ewing’s sarcoma is a malignant (cancerous) form of tumor that develops in the bones or soft tissues. It is most commonly found in the larger bones of the body – namely, the pelvis, leg and arm bones – but it can also occur in other areas of the body, including the neck and spine. When it occurs in the spinal area or neck it is not uncommon for it to grow to a point where it will begin to push against the spinal cord.
Although the majority of cases is diagnosed in children and teenagers (around 225 children and teens are diagnosed each year), it can also occur in adults. The diagnosis rate for adults that have developed Ewing’s is about one out of every one million people each year in the U.S.
It is a treatable cancer in both children and adults; typically, a combination of treatments are used to ensure the best outcome possible.
Symptoms of Ewing’s Sarcoma
The symptoms of Ewing’s sarcoma are most often pain where the tumor is growing. As it becomes larger, there will be a noticeable swelling in the area. In instances where a Ewing’s sarcoma is growing in the spine or neck, if it grows large enough, it can cause compression of the spinal cord. This leads to numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, weakness, and clumsiness. There is also the possibility of a broken bone that occurs as if for no reason. This is due to the tumor invading and weakening the bone. If the tumor metastasizes (spreads from the original growth site to other areas), weight loss and a fever may also occur.
Diagnosis of Ewing’s Sarcoma
Because Ewing’s sarcoma often has the same symptoms as other diseases, it’s important to pursue an accurate diagnosis. If your child is experiencing any of the aforementioned symptoms, it’s integral that he or she sees a doctor as soon as possible.
Ewing’s sarcoma is diagnosed through a physical exam followed up by imaging. This can include x-rays, a CT scan, MRI, PET scan or bone scan. A biopsy of the suspicious areas will likely be recommended to examine the cells and determine if they’re cancerous.
Ewing’s Sarcoma Treatment Options
Ewing’s sarcoma often requires more than one form of treatment to effectively address the tumor. Following are some of the most common treatments for this disease.
Chemotherapy – a drug or combination of drugs is used in chemotherapy to attack and kill cancer cells. In the case of Ewing’s sarcoma, chemotherapy is most effective when used in conjunction with other treatments.
Surgery – surgical removal of the tumor can help to not only alleviate symptoms being caused by cancer (such as pressing against the spinal cord) but also eliminate cancerous tissue. In some instances, it is possible for the entire tumor to be successfully taken. It is still often recommended that other treatments be used to prevent a recurrence.
Radiation – used to help kill active cancer cells, radiation is an important tool in the fight against Ewing’s sarcoma. Using therapeutic levels of radiation, the area the tumor is growing in is isolated and then exposed to these energy beams.
In instances where bone tissue has had to be removed, additional surgery may be required to stabilize the bone’s structure and increase bone strength.
Why Choose Neurosurgeons of New Jersey
When your child is facing a diagnosis of Ewing’s sarcoma, you want to ensure that you’re receiving the very best treatments available. Neurosurgeons of New Jersey is built on the belief that you and your child deserve to be treated as a person and a patient. Each of our doctors is not only highly skilled and experienced in their area of specialization – they are also compassionate and have your child’s best interests at heart. You don’t need to venture far from home to find the highest level of care with our five convenient locations.