Ewing Sarcoma Diagnosis

Ewing’s sarcoma is a malignant tumour that grows in the bones or soft tissue around the bones. It often develops in the legs, pelvis, ribs, or arms. Although very rare, Ewing’s sarcoma is the second most common type of bone tumour in children. Ewing’s sarcoma often affects bones, but in a small number of patients, the tumour develops outside the bone (extraosseous). Ewing’s sarcoma is most common in older children and adolescents. If cancer is detected before the disease spreads, the chance of long-term survival is about 70%. The likelihood of a cure is much lower if the disease has spread.

Symptoms of the disease

Symptoms depend on the location of the tumour. Common signs and symptoms of Ewing’s sarcoma: 

• Swelling, induration and/or pain in the area of ​​the tumour;
• Heat;
• Bone pain, especially with physical activity or at night;
• Lameness and trouble walking;
• Unreasonable bone fractures.

The pain can get worse over weeks or months and can lead to nighttime awakenings of the child. Because the symptoms of Ewing’s sarcoma can be mistaken for common childhood pain or trauma, it may take time before a diagnosis is made.

Diagnosis of pathology

Many parents come to Israel to save their children, where the famous Tel Aviv Medical Clinic is located. The children’s hemato-oncology department is equipped with the most modern equipment, which allows the use of innovative, computerized systems with high information content. Such devices can detect the presence of sarcoma or another type of bone neoplasm even at the stage of inception.

Various procedures and studies are used to diagnose Ewing’s sarcoma. These include: 

• Medical history examinations, physical examinations, and blood tests to obtain information about symptoms, general health, previous illnesses and risk factors.
• Diagnostic imaging methods for finding tumours and determining the tactics of further examination:
  • Scintigraphy.
  • Radiography.
  • MRI.
  • PET / CT.
  • Puncture and bone marrow biopsy to determine the extent of cancer spread.
  • Biopsy of the tumour to make the correct diagnosis. During a biopsy, the doctor removes a small amount of tissue from the tumour.

All procedures are carried out in a friendly atmosphere, with established contact between the doctor and small patients, safely and painlessly. Our clinic provides a full range of high-quality services, prices for which are set at the level of government tariffs. We understand that long-term treatment, expensive original drugs may not be affordable for all families. But Tel Aviv Medical Clinic works closely with charitable foundations and helps raise money for the treatment of the child.