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Ewing Sarcoma

Abstract

You are reading a NORD Rare Disease Report Abstract. NORD’s full collection of reports on over 1200 rare diseases is available to subscribers (click here for details). We are now also offering full Rare Disease reports to visitors who register on our website, for free. If you have already registered or if you are a subscriber, clicking the link to view the full report will give you an opportunity to log in. You will also be able to register or to reset your password. Registration is free and we do not share your information with anyone else, but you are limited to two full reports a day.

NORD is very grateful to Patrick J. Grohar, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology-Oncology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital & Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University, for assistance in the preparation of this report.

Synonyms of Ewing Sarcoma

  • EFT
  • Ewing family of tumors
  • Ewing's Sarcoma
  • Ewing tumor
  • TEF
  • tumor of the Ewing family (TEF)

Disorder Subdivisions

  • Askin's tumor
  • Ewing sarcoma of bone
  • extraosseous Ewing (EOE) sarcoma
  • primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET)

General Discussion

Ewing sarcoma is a rare bone tumor that occurs most often in adolescents. It can also arise outside of the bone in soft tissue (extraosseous Ewing sarcoma). Ewing sarcoma is related to another type of tumor known as primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET). Researchers have learned that these tumors are associated with the same chromosomal abnormality (balanced reciprocal translocation) and share many physiological characteristics. Consequently, these tumors are sometimes collectively classified as the Ewing family of tumors (EFT). This general term encompasses Ewing sarcoma of bone, extraosseous Ewing sarcoma, primitive neuroectodermal tumor, and Askin’s tumor (a tumor of the chest wall). Ewing sarcoma of bone accounts for approximately 70 percent of the tumors in this family. Generally, the term Ewing sarcoma is preferred because, despite the different names, it is one tumor, molecularly. Ewing sarcoma of bone most often affects the long bone of the legs (femur) and flat bones such as those found in the pelvis and chest well. Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive cancer that may spread (metastasize) to the lungs, other bones, and bone marrow potentially causing life-threatening complications. The exact cause of these tumors is unknown.

Ewing sarcoma was first described in the medical literature in 1921 by Dr. James Ewing. Ewing sarcoma is the second most common primary bone tumor in children and accounts for approximately 2% of all childhood cancer diagnoses.

NORD’s report on Ewing sarcoma is a detailed summary of the main aspects of this rare disorder. The National Cancer Institute offers comprehensive, in-depth information on this disorder, which is available at,

For patients: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/ewings/Patient

For healthcare professionals: http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/treatment/ewings/HealthProfessional

Organizations related to Ewing Sarcoma

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