Bone and Soft Tissue Oncology Program

Ewing's Family of Tumors

What is Ewing's Family of Tumors?

The Ewing's family of tumors (EFTs) includes the following:

Ewing's tumor bone
Extraosseous Ewing's (tumor growing outside of the bone)
Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET), also known as peripheral neuroepithelioma)
Askin's tumor (PNET of the chest wall)

EFTs are rare tumors that develop in the bone and soft tissues. They most commonly occur in the pelvis, the thigh bone (femur), the upper arm bone (humerus) and the ribs. EFTs most frequently occur in teenagers.

If a patient has symptoms (such as pain, stiffness or tenderness in the bone), the doctor may order X-rays and other tests. The doctor may also cut out a piece of tissue from the affected area in a procedure called a biopsy. The tissue will be looked at under a microscope to see if it contains any cancer cells. This test may be done in the hospital.

The chance of recovery (prognosis) and choice of treatment for EFTs depend on the location, size and stage of the cancer (how far the cancer has spread), how the cancer cells react to the treatment and the patient's age and general health.

This page was last updated on: March 3, 2008.

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