Established by James Ewing in 1920, Ewing sarcoma is one of the most common types of cancer that is prevalent. It is the cancer of the soft tissue around the bone or the bones. It then spreads quickly to other parts of the body like ribs, legs, spine, etc.
The disease is seen almost 10-20% more in the Caucasian groups of people than in the people of African descent. But, that doesn’t mean that the Africans are totally safe from the vicious attack of these diseases. It is also more common in males than in females. Ewing sarcoma in adults is not too common. The disease mainly affects teenagers and is also not diagnosed much in older people.
Africa has witnessed a surge in the number of various types of cancers in the last few decades. The reasons are varied, but the high number of deaths suggests the poor infrastructure that the country has when it comes to the healthcare sector. The lack of proper diagnosis has also led to several deaths. These are some of the many concerns that have led Africans to consider coming to India for world-class treatments.
There are several types of Ewing Sarcoma, and they share the same DNA and proteins, and as such, are treated in the same way. They are believed to be originating from the same kind of cells. The different types of cancers are listed below:
The exact cause of Ewing sarcoma is unknown and researches are being done at an extensive level. But, the researchers have been able to identify the genetics of the disease to some extent. Further study of cancer revealed that it is mostly caused when translocation occurs between chromosome number 11 and 22 in the human body.
The attachment of the FL1 gene with the EWSR1 gene has been the cause of many cases of Ewing sarcoma. What triggers this change is unknown and uncertain. The disease just randomly occurs in an individual and is not heritable. It is also not due to radiation or certain chemicals.
Several complications can be associated with Ewing sarcoma. The most prominent one is the side effects that chemotherapy and radiation therapy can bring about. The treatments are generally aggressive and make the body extremely vulnerable. In addition to that, there may also be unexpected side effects. You will have to consent for the procedures keeping all this in mind. Another complication that plagues the doctors is the spreading of the diseases. Sometimes, despite the treatments and the medications, cancer spreads and affects the individuals.
There are several symptoms of Ewing sarcoma, and many of them can make you think of it as mere injuries or infection. But, you should take it seriously, and visit a doctor immediately. The symptoms that you should look out for are:
In order to detect and confirm Ewing sarcoma, oncologists prescribe several diagnostic procedures and tests. Some of them are given below:
1. CT scan: In this procedure, the patient is asked to lie inside the CT scanner. The machine then takes pictures which are then transferred to the computer.
2. MRI scan: For this test, the patient is laid down on the narrow tube of the MRI machine which slides inside, taking images of the body. These images are then compiled in the compute for further interpretation.
3. Bone scan: This is mainly done to detect bone cancer. A radioactive dye is injected that deposits itself in the bones and the surrounding tissues. Then, the bone scanner is used to detect any abnormalities in the bones.
4. Biopsy: In this procedure, tissues are collected via needles are sent to be tested for cancer. This test usually determines the presence of cancer in the body. These are mainly done on the suggestion of the doctor.
No symptom should be treated lightly, and chance upon any of these symptoms should be immediately reported to the doctor. As is the case with any cancer, Ewing sarcoma too can be treated much more effectively if it is diagnosed at the early stages. After the preliminary diagnosis and tests, your general physician is likely to direct you to an oncologist. Hereon, the Ewing sarcoma treatment will start.
The treatment of Ewing sarcoma depends on several factors which, include the stage of cancer, its location, the age of the patient, his/her medical history, and their choices. The first step of this cancer treatment is chemotherapy. This procedure is mostly done to limit cancer from spreading and reduces the size of the tumor considerably
After this phase, CT and MRI scans are done on the patient to get updated information about the Ewing sarcoma. Here, two options are available. If the tumor is in the position to be removed, then surgery is performed. But, if the tumor cannot be removed or performing surgery could have devastating consequences, in this case, radiation is done. Radiation is painful and is thus opted by doctors in case of dire scenarios. Sometimes, patients require surgery as well as radiation. Targeted therapies are applied by doctors as a last chance as these are still in the experimental phases.
The success rates of Ewing sarcoma depends on several factors such as the age of the patient, stage of cancer, where it spread, etc. The average 5-year survival rate is 62%. If the tumor is localized, then the chances increase to 82%. If the tumor spreads regionally, then the rate is 67%. But, if the disease has spread to a large area, then the chances are as low as 39%.
The survival rate is much higher in children who are less than 15 years old compared to adolescents. Children can generally tolerate large doses of chemotherapy and are hence, more prone to getting cured. It is imperative that you do not ignore the symptoms and consult a doctor immediately.
India is one of the most coveted places in terms of cancer treatment. The doctors are not only exceptional in their respective fields but also perform the aftercare of the patients with equal zeal. Many hospitals like BLK, Artemis, Medanta, Fortis, etc. offer top-quality treatment. This is a major reason as to why international patients from Africa visit India. Another appealing attribute about the healthcare of India is the affordable cost of treatment. The Ewing sarcoma treatment cost does not interfere with the quality of the treatment in India.