Childhood cancer: Knochensarkome

Sarcomas are malignant tumors of the bone.
Malignant tumors of the bone tissue are called Knochensarkome. The most important for particular types of childhood osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma.


Osteosarcoma occurs predominantly in the arm and leg bones.
Osteosarcoma is found primarily at the ends of the arm and leg bones. Affected are mostly children from the age of 12 years. Initial symptoms usually manifest themselves in the form of painful swelling over the affected bone regions, especially at night. Also lesions in this region are possible. It also comes with restrictions on the mobility of the corresponding arm or leg. In the course of the disease may be daughter tumors in other bones, but absiedeln in the lung.


The prognosis is relatively good.
The disease can be determined (after an initial suspicion because of the typical symptoms) through blood tests and x-rays and computer and magnetic resonance imaging. To confirm the diagnosis, the histological examination of a tissue sample from the bone is possible. The treatment of osteosarcoma initially by chemotherapy, in addition to surgery followed, in which the tumor is removed. The prognosis for the existence of an osteosarcoma is relatively good. The long-term survival rates are around 50 to 75 percent of affected children. The smaller the tumor, the better the chances of recovery.


Ewing's sarcoma is a rare disease.
Ewing's sarcoma is caused by tumor growth, which proceeds from the connective tissue cells of the bone marrow. Disorder with an incidence of 3 cases per 1 million people is a rare disease. Ewing's sarcoma is particularly common occurrence in the entire skeleton, however, legs, pelvis, scapula and ribs affected. In general, children become ill at an age 10 to 15 years.


It is painful swelling.
As typical symptoms painful swellings occur at the affected bone regions. It can also lead to a restriction of movement, eg an affected arm to come. Fever may also occur occasionally. Daughter tumors (metastases) are found in the lungs and in lymph nodes, liver and brain.


Chemotherapy and radiotherapy reduced the tumor before surgery.
The suspicion of an Ewing's sarcoma results from the typical symptoms of those affected. The diagnosis can be confirmed by further investigations: blood tests, x-rays, computer and magnetic resonance imaging, scintigraphy, histological examination of a tissue sample from the bone. For treatment, first comes a combination of chemotherapy and radiation therapy into question. Through these measures, tumor size is decreased. Subsequently, the remaining tumor is surgically removed. Even with Ewing's sarcoma the size of the tumor is crucial for the prognosis of the affected child. Long-term cure can be achieved at about 60 percent.