Ewing sarcoma
Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive cancer of bone or soft tissue, usually defined by a characteristic gene fusion. Treatment addresses both the visible tumor and the risk of disease elsewhere in the body.
Other names and abbreviations
Ewing's sarcoma, EWS, Ewing family tumor, Ewing tumor, peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour (historical when EWSR1-ETS fusion-defined)
In short
- Ewing sarcoma is an aggressive cancer of bone or soft tissue that mainly affects children, teens and young adults.
- Treatment combines several chemotherapy drugs with surgery, radiation or both, to treat the main tumor and lower the risk of disease elsewhere in the body.
- Some high-risk patients may get high-dose chemotherapy followed by a return of their own stem cells, which is not routine and normally does not use a registry donor.
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Where transplant fits
Selected high-risk patients may receive Very strong drug treatment given in large doses, often to kill cancer cells. It also destroys the bone marrow and can cause other serious side effects. A stem cell transplant usually follows to rebuild the marrow. with Coming from the patient's own body. In an autologous transplant, the patient's own stem cells are collected and stored, then given back after high-dose treatment. It does not use a donor.. The value of this approach depends on the specific setting; it is not routine for every Ewing sarcoma and normally uses the patient’s cells, not a registry donor.
Treatment depends on the exact diagnosis, disease stage, prior treatment and the person’s health.
Key facts
- Who it affects
- Ewing sarcoma mainly affects children, adolescents and young adults.
- Usual treatment
- Multi-drug chemotherapy is combined with surgery and/or radiation for local control. High-dose chemotherapy is used in selected high-risk settings, with choice guided by the protocol, disease extent and prior response.
- Cells used in a transplant
- The patient’s own collected blood-forming cells for autologous stem cell rescue, when that procedure is appropriate.
- Where a donor fits
- Limited transplant role
Support for patients and families
These independent organizations offer information and support. JBF is not affiliated with them.
- Sarcoma Alliance Support groups, a new patient guide and second-opinion financial grants for anyone affected by sarcoma, the cancer family that includes Ewing sarcoma.United States
- Sarcoma UK Free, confidential support line, support groups and practical and emotional help for anyone affected by sarcoma in the UK.United Kingdom
- Sarcoma Foundation of America Peer-to-peer matching, treatment center and clinical trial information, and education for people with sarcoma and their caregivers.United States
Questions to bring to your care team
- What is the exact name of the diagnosis or subtype, and what does it mean for treatment?
- What is the goal of each treatment you are suggesting?
- What would make a transplant worth considering later on?
- Are there clinical trials that might fit?
- Where can our family find support during treatment?
Sources and further reading
- Ewing Sarcoma Treatment (PDQ)
NCI, Accessed 2026-09-05 - Indications for haematopoietic cell transplantation and CAR-T: 2025 EBMT practice recommendations
EBMT / Bone Marrow Transplantation, Accessed 2026-09-05 - Stem Cell and Bone Marrow Transplants for Cancer
NCI, Accessed 2026-09-05
Other patients are waiting for a match.
Most people with Ewing sarcoma are treated without a registry donor. Many people with other blood cancers and blood disorders need a donor who is a stranger.
Join the registry
JBF points you to the official registry that serves your country. It explains who can join and what donation involves.
Help a family run a drive
If someone you love needs a donor, a registration drive can add many potential donors at once, for them and for others.
Support this work
Gifts to the Jada Bascom Foundation support donor-awareness education like this guide, community outreach, drive planning and referrals to official registries.
