Ewings Sarcoma is a type of bone cancer that occurs mainly in children and young adults. The cancer can develop in any bone, but it is found primarily in hip bones, ribs, and long bones( thigh bone and upper arm bone).

Ewings Sarcoma affects 200 children and young adults every year. It is slightly more common in males than females.

However, thanks to ongoing research and the latest treatment options available in the top hospitals of India, like Max Healthcare, and Medanta the Medicity, people are now living longer and cancer-free.

Symptoms of Ewings Sarcoma

 Patients with Ewings Sarcoma may deal with the following symptoms:

• Pain around the site of the tumor
• Swelling or redness around the site of the tumor
• Fever
• Weight loss
• Fatigue
• Paralysis
• Symptoms related to nerve compression

** These symptoms may resemble other medical conditions, too. It is essential to get an appropriate medical diagnosis from your doctor**

 What causes Ewings Sarcoma?

 The exact cause of Ewings Sarcoma is not known. However, it is said that chromosomal changes in a cell’s DNA are the primary cause of Ewings Sarcoma. These changes are not inherited. The changes develop in the children for no apparent reason.

DNA of the cell has instructions that tell the cells what to do.  In normal cells, the DNA controls  cell growth and multiplication at a fixed rate. The instructions tell the cells to die at a set time.

In cancer cells, the DNA changes and starts giving different instructions. The changes tell the cancer cells to make many more cells quickly. Cancer cells can keep living while the healthy cells keep dying.

The cancer cells form a mass called a tumor. The tumor can grow to invade and destroy healthy body tissue. Cancer cells can break away and spread to other body parts in time. When cancer spreads, it is called metastatic cancer.

In Ewing sarcoma, the DNA changes most often affect a gene called EWSR1. It may be tested to look for changes in this gene.

Diagnosis

The doctors at the top medical institutions in India will run a few tests to determine if your child has Ewings Sarcoma. The few tests done to diagnose the same are:

• A Physical Exam
• X Rays
• Bone Scan
• MRI
• CT Scan
• PET Scan
• Blood Tests
• Biopsies of Tumor
• Bone Marrow Aspiration

Healthcare institutions in India like Max Healthcare are equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and facilities required to diagnose Ewings Sarcoma accurately. The hospitals here have multidisciplinary teams, including oncologists, pathologists, and radiologists, who work together to interpret precisely.

Treatment of Ewings Sarcoma

 The Ewings Sarcoma treatment will depend on the following:

• The size of the tumor
• The places where it has spread in the body
• The overall health of the patient
• The preferences of the patient

The treatment options available in India are:

Chemotherapy

 It is the first step to treat cancer. The medicines shrink the tumor, which may later be removed by surgery. If the cancer is in an advanced stage, chemotherapy helps to relieve pain and slow down the growth of the tumor.

Surgery – Limb Salvage Surgery

 The goal of the surgery is to eradicate the tumor. Surgery means removing a small portion of the bone and surrounding tissue. Amputation is rarely needed. In cases where the cancer is located in an extremity, limb salvage surgery is preferred to amputation.

The advanced surgical techniques present in India help in complete tumor removal while preserving the function of the affected limb.

Radiation

Radiation is used to treat cancer cells using powerful energy beams. It is done after the surgery to kill the remaining cancer cells. It is also done when surgery is not an option. For advanced Ewings Sarcoma, radiation therapy helps to slow down the growth of cancer cells and relieve pain, too.

Targeted Therapy

 It is a cancer treatment where medicines are used to attack the specific ways that cause cancer cells to grow. By blocking these ways, the targeted treatments cause cancer cells to die.

 Long-Term Prognosis of Patients with Ewings Sarcoma

 According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate of people who have localized Ewing Sarcoma is 70 %. On the other hand, for those who have metastatic cancer, the five-year survival rate is around 15 to 20 %.

As with any cancer, the long-term prognosis of Ewing Sarcoma varies from person to person.

The prognosis depends on the following factors:

• The extent of the disease
• The size and the location of the tumor
• Tumors response to therapy
• The age and the overall health of the patient
• New developments in the treatment
• The presence or absence of metastasis

Compared to small tumors, large tumors are difficult to remove. There are more chances of a large tumor to turn metastatic. Metastatic is the term that describes the cancer spreading to other parts of the body.

Immediate medical attention and correct treatment are essential to ensure the best possible prognosis. Continuous follow-up care is also required.

In conclusion, Ewings Sarcoma is a rare but treatable form of cancer, especially when it gets diagnosed at an early stage and is managed with the proper treatment approach. The advancement in the medical sciences and the availability of special care at the top healthcare institutions in India offer hope to families suffering from Ewings Sarcoma.

If you, too, are suffering from Ewings Sarcoma or any cancer, write to us at info@crossborderscare.com today, we will arrange the best medical treatment for you in India.