Introduction of Ewing Sarcoma

Executive Summary

Ewing Sarcoma is the cancer of bones and nearby tissues and occurs when normally healthy cells change and grow uncontrollably, forming a tumour mass. It develops in different places depending upon the regions of bone (leg, pelvis, rib, arm, or spine) and soft tissue (thigh, spine, pelvis, chest wall, or foot). Ewing sarcoma involves different tumor types such as a peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor, Askin tumor (Ewing sarcoma of the chest wall), and extraosseous Ewing sarcoma (Ewing sarcoma family of tumors).

What is Ewing Sarcoma Tumor?

Ewing sarcoma is a cancer that affects the bones or nearby soft tissue ^​1​. Cancer occurs when normal healthy cells change and grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor mass. A tumor can be benign or cancerous. A benign tumor can grow but will not spread to distant body parts. A cancerous tumor can grow and spread to other body parts. 

Where Ewing sarcoma develops

Ewing sarcomas develop in different places, depending on the type ^​2​.

• Bone – Ewing sarcoma most often develops in the leg, pelvis, rib, arm, or spine.
• Soft tissue – Previously included in the term “Ewing sarcoma family of tumour,” Ewing sarcoma is a tumor that can grow in the soft tissue outside of the bone. It is generally found in the thigh, spine, pelvis, chest wall, or foot.

Older terms, like a peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor, Askin tumor (Ewing sarcoma of the chest wall), and extraosseous Ewing sarcoma (“Ewing sarcoma family of tumour”), refer to this same type of tumors.

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