A Review of Ewing Sarcoma Treatment: Is it Still a Subject of Debate?

Abstract

Background: The Ewing sarcoma (ES) represents 10 to 15% malignant bone tumors and 40 to 45% pediatric malignant bone tumors. The aim of this review is to clarify the therapeutic results and prognostic factors of this entity.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed. Studies focused on the management of ES were considered for inclusion.

Result: ES represents a model of multidisciplinary approach. The optimization of ES multimodality therapeutic strategies has resulted from the efforts of several national and international groups in Europe and North America and from cooperation between the pediatric and medical oncologists. The overall 5- year survival of Ewing localized tumors was 70% versus 30% in metastatic ES.

Conclusion: The treatment of ES includes neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapies with surgery and/or radiotherapy for control of the primary site and possible metastatic disease. The role of high-dose chemotherapy is still debated.

Keywords: Chemotherapy; ewing sarcoma; malignant bone tumors; prognostic factor; therapeutic strategies; treatment.