Home | Community | Get Involved | Donate | | Site Index | Search Go Button
The mark, American Cancer Society, is a registered trademark of the American Cancer Society, Inc., and may not be copied, reproduced, transmitted, displayed, performed, distributed, sublicensed, altered, stored for subsequent use or otherwise used in whole or in part in any manner without ACS's prior written consent.
 
My Planner Register | Sign In Sign In


Cancer Reference Information
 
    All About This Topic
Other Information Sources
Glossary
Cancer Drug Guide
Treatment Options
Treatment Decision Tools
   
Detailed Guide: Ewing Family of Tumors
What Is the Ewing Family of Tumors?

In 1921, Dr. James Ewing described a bone tumor in children that was different from the more common bone tumor, osteosarcoma. Its most important feature was that it could be treated with radiation. This new tumor became known as Ewing sarcoma or Ewing tumor. At first, this tumor was only seen in bones. Later, the same type of tumor was found in the soft tissues and named extraosseous (outside bone) Ewing (EOE). About 60% of Ewing tumors start in bone.

Another childhood cancer, primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET), shares many features with Ewing tumor and EOE. PNETs are rare cancers, also found in soft tissue and bone. Researchers have found that Ewing tumor, EOE, and PNET cells are very similar. They have the same abnormalities in their DNA and have similar proteins that are rarely found in other types of cancers. They also believe these 3 cancers develop from the same type of normal cells in the body. Although there are slight differences among these tumors, they are all treated in the same way.

Doctors now refer to this group of cancers as the Ewing family of tumors. This family of tumors can occur at any age, but these tumors are most common in early teenage years. About 15% occur in adults. Most of these tumors occur in the trunk, and the most common place is the pelvis. About one third of the bone tumors occurs in the legs, mainly in the middle of the long bones. In contrast, osteosarcoma usually occurs at the ends of the long bones, especially around the knees. The next most common sites are the ribs and spine. The extraosseous tumors can occur almost anywhere.

Revised: 06/19/2006

Printer-Friendly Page
Email this Page
Detailed Guide
What Is It?
Causes, Risk Factors and Prevention
Early Detection, Diagnosis, Staging
Treating Ewing Family of Tumors
Talking With Your Doctor
More Information
Related Tools & Topics
Prevention & Early Detection  
Bookstore  
Not registered yet?
  Register now or see reasons to register.  
Help |  About ACS |  Employment & Volunteer Opportunities |  Legal & Privacy Information |  ACS Gift Shop |  Press Room
Copyright 2008 © American Cancer Society, Inc.
All content and works posted on this website are owned and
copyrighted by the American Cancer Society, Inc. All rights reserved.