Ewing's sarcoma: presentation and management

Ewing sarcoma with intra thoracic and multiple extra thoracic metastases in a young adult male: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Primary chest wall tumors arise from muscle, fat, blood vessels, the nerve sheath, cartilage, or bone of the chest wall. One of the chest wall sarcomas is Ewing Sarcoma (ES), first described in 1921 by James Ewing, which is a highly aggressive bone and soft-tissue cancer. This case report aimed to present an Ewing Sarcoma with intra thoracic and multiple extra thoracic metastases in young adult male patient.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We describe a unique case of metastatic of ewing's sarcoma in a 23-year-old male that showed a mass on the right lower posterior lung with pleural effusion, which was initially thought to be lung tumor that metastasized to the pleura. A thoracic CT scan showed a lobulated soft tissue mass on the right posterolateral thoracic wall, or pleura, with an expansion of soft tissue mass on the rib. Thoracal MRI showed tumor in the posterior right lower thoracic wall area, metastases of the left lateral rib, and right pleural effusion with atelectasis in the right inferior lobe of the lung. The patient also underwent a bone scan, scheduled for palliative radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and consulted to oncology surgeon.

DISCUSSION

Ewing sarcoma is a small, round, blue-cell mesenchymal malignancy. ES mainly affects children, adolescents, and young adults, with >1.5 cases per million children. Males are slightly more affected than females (sex ratio of 3:2). The definitive diagnosis requires biopsy proof (achieved by fine needle or core biopsy). The most common regions of metastasis are the lungs, pleural cavity, skeletal system, bone marrow, or combinations of these.

CONCLUSION

The 5-year survival rate is approximately 70 % when there is no metastasis; this rate falls to around 30 % when metastasis is present.

Ewing sarcoma versus osteomyelitis: differential diagnosis with magnetic resonance imaging

OBJECTIVE

To find and evaluate characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) patterns for the differentiation between Ewing sarcoma and osteomyelitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We identified 28 consecutive patients referred to our department for MRI (1.5 T) of an unclear bone lesion with clinical symptoms suggestive of Ewing sarcoma or osteomyelitis. MRI scans were re-evaluated by two experienced radiologists, typical MR imaging features were documented and a diagnostic decision between Ewing sarcoma and osteomyelitis was made. Statistical significance of the association between MRI features and the biopsy-based diagnosis was assessed using Fisher's exact test.

RESULTS

The most clear-cut pattern for determining the correct diagnosis was the presence of a sharp and defined margin of the bone lesion, which was found in all patients with Ewing sarcoma, but in none of the patients with osteomyelitis (P < 0.0001). Contrast enhancing soft tissue was present in all cases with Ewing sarcoma and absent in 4 patients with osteomyelitis (P = 0.0103). Cortical destruction was found in all patients with Ewing sarcoma, 4 patients with osteomyelitis did not present any cortical reaction (P = 0.0103). Cystic or necrotic areas were identified in 13 patients with Ewing sarcoma and in 1 patient with osteomyelitis (P = 0.004). Interobserver reliability was very good (kappa = 1) in Ewing sarcoma and moderate (kappa = 0.6) in patients with osteomyelitis.

CONCLUSIONS

A sharp and defined margin, optimally visualized on T1-weighted images in comparison to short tau inversion recovery (STIR) images, is the most significant feature of Ewing sarcoma in differentiating from osteomyelitis.

The clinical evaluation of bone tumors

Bone tumors are uncommon clinical entities that are often a source of diagnostic and therapeutic uncertainty. Evaluating these lesions starts with a patient history and physical examination Imaging then begins with radiographs, followed by advanced imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, or bone scan. Biopsy can be performed to establish histologic diagnosis by either closed or open means. Treatment options range from observation to wide resection with reconstruction or amputation. Surveillance schedules vary depending on the type of tumor that is being treated. An algorithm for the evaluation, work-up, and diagnosis of bone tumors is presented.

Protocol of surgical treatment of long bone pathological fractures

Long bone pathological fractures in patients with primary and metastatic bone tumours are difficult to treat and their management may alter the prognosis of the disease and jeopardize survival. The aim of this article was to review the relevant studies reporting on the management of tumour patients with pathological fractures of the long bones, to discuss the most suitable approach in these patients, to highlight specific treatment recommendations, and finally based on this analysis and our clinical practice, to propose a treatment algorithm for decision making and treatment.

Ewings sarcoma of the zygoma reconstructed with a gold prosthesis: a rare tumor and unique reconstruction

INTRODUCTION

Ewings sarcoma (ES) is a rare tumor, most commonly encountered within the long bones during the first 20 years of life.

CASE REPORT

We report the sixth case of ES of the zygoma, occurring in a 31-year-old male, and presenting a unique reconstructive opportunity. Diagnosis and preoperative planning were aided by CT/MR coregistration. Surgical reconstruction using 3D reconstructed CT images to produce an anatomically correct model provided the basis for a gold prosthesis construction.

DISCUSSION

Delayed definitive reconstruction provided opportunity for adequate tumor recurrence surveillance, and definitive histological diagnosis. The artefact produced on MR imaging from gold implants is minimal, permitting the unrestricted identification of potential future recurrence.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the benefits of coregistration of radiological imaging, and custom-made gold prostheses providing the advantage of artefact-free MR imaging, which should be considered in patients requiring resection of zygomatic tumors and subsequent reconstruction.

Primary Ewing sarcoma of the spine mimicking a psoas abscess secondary to spinal infection

STUDY DESIGN

A case of primary Ewing sarcoma of the lumbar spine is presented.

OBJECTIVE

To present and review a rare case of primary Ewing sarcoma of the lumbar spine that required differentiation from spinal infection.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Primary Ewing sarcoma originating from the spinal column is very rare. Because Ewing sarcoma is one of the most aggressive bone tumors with high proliferative and invasive potential, its clinical symptoms and variety of imaging manifestations can mimic the pathologic findings of other diseases, including infectious diseases.

METHODS

The clinical course, radiologic features, pathology and treatment outcome of a patient with primary Ewing sarcoma of the lumbar spine was documented.

RESULTS

The magnetic resonance imaging findings showed an abnormal marrow signal at the L2 vertebra and significant enlargement of the unilateral iliopsoas muscle. Immunologic and molecular analysis of the surgical specimen provided a diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma. Laminotomy followed by multidisciplinary therapy including chemotherapy and radiation therapy was effective for treating this case.

CONCLUSION

We report a case of Ewing sarcoma that mimicked a psoas abscess secondary to spinal infection. Abnormal magnetic resonance imaging images, as well as a confusing clinical course, made diagnosis difficult. When enlargement of the iliopsoas with a vertebral lesion is detected in a child with low back pain, Ewing sarcoma should be included in the differential diagnosis.

Multifocal Ewing sarcoma of the foot

Multifocal skeletal Ewing sarcoma is very rare. A 10-year-old boy presented with multiple independent lesions involving the first phalanx of the middle toe, the second metatarsal bone, the cuneiform and cuboid bones, and the talus. Diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma was confirmed by open biopsy of 2 nonadjacent bones. Chest computed tomography disclosed the presence of multiple lung metastases. The patient underwent chemotherapy, below-knee amputation, and lung irradiation. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no similar case has been previously reported in the literature.

Pathological fractures in primary bone sarcomas

Pathological fractures in patients with primary bone sarcomas should not be considered an absolute indication for amputation. Initial fracture management should include cast immobilisation or external fixation avoiding tumour-cell dissemination. The extent of fracture displacement and the type of fracture stabilisation may affect the outcome of patients with primary bone sarcomas presenting with pathological fractures. Patients with high-grade primary bone sarcomas should be treated by neo-adjuvant chemotherapy, and limb-salvage surgery. Pathological fractures in chemo-resistant primary bone sarcomas are a relative contraindication for limb salvage surgery.

An unusual cause of constipation presenting to the emergency department

A case report of a 16-year-old girl who presented to the emergency department with constipation and recurrent urinary tract infections is examined. She gave a history of persistent coccygeal pain stemming from a fall on a trampoline 1 year ago. On examination, she was found to have an abdominal mass arising from the pelvis and paraesthesia of S1-S5 dermatomes in the right leg. An abdominal radiograph showed bony erosion of the sacrum. Magnetic resonance scanning revealed a mass arising from the sacrum and subsequent biopsy diagnosed the tumour as Ewing's sarcoma.

Adenovirus-mediated p53 gene therapy in pediatric soft-tissue sarcoma cell lines: sensitization to cisplatin and doxorubicin

Sarcomas, or tumors of connective tissue, represent roughly 20% of childhood cancers. Although the cure rate for sarcomas in general has significantly improved in the last 10 years, there continue to be subgroups that are difficult to treat. High-grade or metastatic soft-tissue sarcomas and rhabdomyosarcomas (RMS) of the extremities remain therapeutic challenges and their prognosis is often poor. The future of sarcoma therapy will likely include molecular approaches including gene/protein expression profiling and gene-based therapy. Most sarcomas harbor defects in the p53 or pRb pathways. The tumor suppressor p53 is central to regulation of cell growth and tumor suppression and restoring wild-type p53 function in pediatric sarcomas may be of therapeutic benefit. Studies with adenoviral-mediated p53 gene transfer have been conducted in many cancer types including cervical, ovarian, prostatic and head and neck tumors. Studies of this approach, however, remain limited in pediatric cancers, including sarcomas. Using three viral constructs containing cDNA for wild-type p53, mutant p53 (C135S) and lacZ, we studied the effect of adenoviral-mediated gene therapy in four pediatric sarcoma cell lines, RD and Rh4 (RMS), Rh1 (Ewing's sarcoma) and A204 (undifferentiated sarcoma). Using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay, we have shown a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability 72 h post-treatment that occurs with Ad-wtp53 but not with Ad-mutp53. Cells treated with Ad-wtp53 show upregulation of the p53 downstream targets, p21(CIP1/WAF1) and bax. Growth curves demonstrate suppression of cell growth over a period of 4 days and cells treated with Ad-wtp53 demonstrate a significant increase in sensitivity to the chemotherapeutic agents, cisplatin and doxorubicin. Our results indicate that restoration of wild-type p53 function in pediatric sarcoma cells could provide a basis for novel approaches to treatment of this disease.

Pathologic fracture as a complication in the treatment of Ewing's sarcoma

The purpose of the current study was to define the outcome of patients with Ewing's sarcoma who sustained a fracture either at initial presentation or subsequent to multimodal treatment, and to identify parameters that may influence the treatment of these patients. The age of the 21 males and 14 females who sustained a fracture during the treatment for Ewing's sarcoma averaged 15 years (range, 4-30 years) at diagnosis. Fourteen patients presented with a pathologic fracture, whereas 21 patients had a fracture develop subsequent to the initial treatment at a mean of 4 years (range, 1-19 years). The femur was the most common location (50%). At a mean followup of 10 years (range, 1-33 years), 21 of 35 patients (60%) were alive and free of disease. There was no local recurrence, but there was one postradiation sarcoma associated with the fracture. Comparing the followup of patients who sustained the fracture at presentation with the followup of patients who subsequently had a fracture, no statistically significant difference was found (117 months versus 124 months). Overall, pathologic fracture in association with Ewing's sarcoma does not seem to be a negative prognostic parameter with respect to survival in this series. Therefore, a fracture at presentation may not mandate amputation. However, it occurs frequently subsequent to initial multimodal treatment because of delayed fracture healing. Because conservative or minimal osteosynthesis have high failure rates, more aggressive resection and reconstruction have to be considered carefully.