Diagnosing Ewing Sarcoma
Ewing sarcoma is a fast-growing type of bone or soft tissue cancer that mainly affects children, teens, and young adults.
To diagnose Ewing sarcoma, doctors use a mix of exams, tests, and procedures to confirm the disease, see how serious it is, and how much of it has spread. Specialists involved in diagnosing Ewing sarcoma may include oncologists (cancer doctors), orthopedic surgeons (bone doctors), radiologists (doctors who review body images), and pathologists (doctors who study tissue under a microscope).
Here are the exams, tests, and procedures used to diagnose Ewing sarcoma:
- Physical exam and medical history: A doctor will start by doing a physical exam and going over your medical history. They will ask about your symptoms, family history, and any past health issues.
- Imaging tests: Different imaging tests are used to take a closer look at the tumor and check for any bone damage. These tests may include X-rays, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT) scans, and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans. These imaging tests help doctors see the tumor and its location.
- Biopsy: A biopsy is a procedure where a small sample of cells is taken from the tumor for testing. A specialist called a pathologist examines the sample to confirm if Ewing sarcoma is present and tell it apart from other types of bone cancer. Depending on the location of the tumor, the biopsy may be done using a needle or through surgery.
- Gene mutation testing: The cells taken from the biopsy can also be tested for specific gene changes linked to Ewing sarcoma. Finding these gene changes can help confirm the diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma.
To determine the type (specific kind of cancer), severity (how serious it is), or stage (how much it has spread) of Ewing sarcoma, additional exam, tests, or procedures may be done:
- Staging tests: Staging helps doctors find out if the cancer has spread beyond the original tumor site. They use different tests to do this, such as X-rays, MRI scans, PET scans, CT scans, and bone scans. Staging helps identify if the cancer is only in one area (localized) or if it has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).
- Blood tests: Blood tests can show certain markers, or signals in the blood, that help doctors understand if Ewing sarcoma is present or if it is spreading.
- Bone marrow biopsy: In some cases, doctors may do a bone marrow biopsy, which involves taking a small sample of bone marrow (the soft tissue inside bones), to see if the cancer has spread there.
By combining these exams, tests, and procedures, doctors can diagnose Ewing sarcoma and determine its type and stage. This information is important for creating a treatment plan that fits each person’s needs. It is recommended to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.