Bone and Soft Tissue Oncology Program

Ewing's Family of Tumors

What Is Ewing's Family of Tumors? | Risk Factors | Symptoms and Diagnosis | Stages | Treatment | About Clinical Trials | Greenebaum Cancer Center

Symptoms and Diagnosis

The most common sign of Ewing's is bone pain at the site where the tumor is located. This pain may be accompanied by swelling. Pain is present in about 85 percent of all Ewing's cases, and swelling is present in about 60 percent of all cases. If a swollen lump occurs, it may be warm to the touch, and in about 30 percent of all cases, the child may develop a fever, chills, weakness and lose some weight.

Because these symptoms could also indicate normal bumps, bruises or bone infections, some Ewing's cases are difficult to diagnose. If the child's symptoms persist for an extended period of time and don't improve after taking antibiotics, a doctor should be contacted immediately.

There are several imaging tests including X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radionuclide scans that are used to determine whether or not there is a cancerous mass, and whether it has spread to other parts of the body.

Although the results of these tests may strongly suggest cancer, a biopsy (the removal of tissue from the tumor for laboratory tests) is the only way to be sure cancer is present. If the tumor is small enough and not in a delicate location such as near the spine, an excisional biopsy, where the tumor is removed completely, can be performed. If the tumor is too large and awkward, however, doctors may perform an incisional biopsy, where only a piece of the tumor is taken, or a needle biopsy.


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