Ewing’s sarcomas are a family of bone cancers first described by John Ewing in 1921. It usually affects the middle part of the long bones (thigh and arm) and the flat bones such as the pelvis and spine. Sometimes the tumours form in the soft tissue outside the bones when they are described as extra-osseous tumours.

Symptoms include bone pain and swelling at the tumour site, but patients might also develop fevers, anaemia or weight loss from reduced appetite. Occasionally the affected bone will fracture (break) spontaneously.

The exact type of cell where Ewing’s sarcoma starts is still uncertain but it may come from mesenchymal cells that are responsible for producing our connective tissue (bone, muscle, cartilage etc).

Most cases have a typical non-inherited genetic mutation called EWS-FLI1 which can be tested for, to help confirm a diagnosis. Treatment is usually surgery to remove the tumour, preserving the limb where possible by replacing the bone with a graft or artificial bone. Ewing’s tumours are very sensitive to radiotherapy and it will often be used before and/or after surgery. Chemotherapy is sometimes used again before or after surgery.