Ewing sarcoma treatment usually begins with chemotherapy. Surgery to remove the cancer usually follows. Other treatments, including radiation therapy, targeted therapy and stem cell transplant, might be used in certain situations.
The treatment for Ewing sarcoma depends on several factors, including the stage of the cancer, the location of the tumor, and the patient’s overall health. The most common treatment options for Ewing sarcoma include:
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy uses powerful drugs to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy treatment usually combines two or more drugs that can be administered as an infusion into a vein (IV), in pill form, or through both methods. Treatment for Ewing sarcoma usually begins with chemotherapy. The drugs may shrink the tumor and make it easier to remove the cancer with surgery or target with radiation therapy.
After surgery or radiation therapy, chemotherapy treatments might continue in order to kill any cancer cells that might remain. For advanced cancer that spreads to other areas of the body, chemotherapy might help relieve pain and slow the growth of the cancer.
Surgery
The goal of surgery is to remove all of the cancer cells. But planning the operation also takes into consideration how it will affect your ability to go about your daily life. Surgery for Ewing sarcoma may involve removing a small portion of bone or removing an entire limb. Whether surgeons can remove all of the cancer without removing the entire limb depends on several factors, such as the size and location of the tumor and whether it shrinks after chemotherapy.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-energy beams, such as X-rays and protons, to kill cancer cells. During radiation therapy, the beams of energy are delivered from a machine that moves around you as you lie on a table. The beams are carefully directed to the area of the Ewing sarcoma in order to reduce the risk of damage to surrounding healthy cells.
Radiation therapy might be recommended after surgery to kill any cancer cells that remain. It can also be used instead of surgery if the Ewing sarcoma is located in a part of the body where surgery is not possible or would result in unacceptable functional outcomes (such as loss of bowel or bladder function). For advanced Ewing sarcomas, radiation therapy can slow the growth of the cancer and help relieve pain.
Targeted therapy
Targeted therapy is a type of treatment that targets specific genes or proteins in cancer cells. This type of therapy is still being studied for its effectiveness in treating Ewing sarcoma.
Stem cell transplant
Stem cell transplant is a procedure that involves replacing the patient’s bone marrow with healthy stem cells. This treatment may be used if the patient has high-risk Ewing sarcoma or if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
The treatment for Ewing sarcoma is often a combination of these therapies. The specific treatment plan will depend on the individual patient and the stage and location of the cancer. It is important to work closely with a team of healthcare professionals, including an oncologist, to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your individual needs.