Questions About Cancer

Ewing’s Sarcoma

Another type of cancer that affects the bone is Ewing’s sarcoma. It is similar to osteosarcoma because it also affects adolescents and young adults, and usually attacks the legs or pelvis.

Most teens with Ewing’s sarcoma receiving chemotherapy and undergoing surgery. Some patients also need lightning, in addition to surgery or in lieu thereof, to be sure to destroy the remaining cells. Ewing’s sarcoma generally responds well to chemotherapy and radiation.

Osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma share common risk factors and the same side effects of treatment. The chances of recovery depend on the location of the tumor, its size and whether it has spread. But both types of bone cancer respond well to treatment and, in many cases are curable.

Leukemia

Leukemia is one of the most common cancers in childhood. Appears when the bone marrow is invaded by large numbers of abnormal white blood cells called leukemic blasts and in some cases, it enters the bloodstream.

Because these abnormal blood cells have defects, it helps protect the body against infections, as do normal white blood cells. And because they grow out of control, take over the bone marrow and interfere with the production of other types of cells important in blood flow, like red blood cells (which carry oxygen) and platelets (which allow blood clotting) .

Leukemia causes problems like bleeding, anemia (low red blood cell count), bone pain and infections. It can also spread to other parts of the body such as lymph nodes, liver, spleen, brain and in the case of men, the testicles.

The most common types of leukemia in teens are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Virtually all persons with ALL and AML are treated with chemotherapy and some also receive stem cell transplants. During this procedure, get new stem cells from another person. Bone marrow transplants are a common form of stem cell transplantation. Some people also receive radiation. The duration of treatment and medications administered rates vary by type of leukemia.

The chances of cure of certain types of leukemia are very good. With proper treatment, most patients with ALL and many patients with AML are cured of the disease and it does not reappear.

Tags: Blood cells, Chemotherapy, Childhood, Ewing's Sarcoma, leukemia, radiation, Tumor,