Pediatric Sarcomas

What are the different types of Pediatric Sarcomas?

Pediatric sarcomas fall into two main categories: bone sarcomas and soft tissue sarcomas. Each category includes two types.

Bone sarcomas in children

• Osteosarcoma – Typically develops in areas where bone is growing quickly, such as the knee or upper arm. It is the most common pediatric bone cancer, affecting about 400 kids in the U.S. every year.
• Ewing’s sarcoma – Most of these tumors grow in bones of the legs, arms, back, chest or pelvis. Some grow in the kidney and other soft tissues. About 200 kids in the U.S. develop Ewing’s sarcoma each year.

Soft tissue sarcomas in children

• Rhabdomyosarcoma - This type typically develops in muscles. Each year in the U.S., between 400 and 600 children are diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma.
• Non-rhabdomyosarcoma soft tissue sarcomas - These include all soft tissue sarcomas that are not rhabdomyosarcoma. About 600 children in the U.S. develop these cancers each year. Tumors can develop in any area in the body that has soft tissue.

What are the signs and symptoms of Pediatric Sarcomas?

Symptoms vary from child to child, depending on what type of sarcoma they have and where it is. Symptoms for each type of sarcoma can include:

Bone sarcoma symptoms

Bone sarcomas may first cause swelling and pain where the tumor is located. Other symptoms may develop if the cancer spreads. Symptoms may include:

• Lump or swelling where the tumor is growing
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Numbness
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness
• Weight loss

Soft tissue sarcoma symptoms

Soft-tissue sarcomas can start anywhere in the body, so they have many different symptoms. These include:

• Bone pain
• Lump or swelling in the neck, chest or back
• Headache, earache, sinus congestion
• Bulging eye or vision problems
• Jaundice (yellow coloring) in eyes or skin
• Blood in urine
• Inability to use the bathroom
• Vomiting or abdominal pain
• Weight loss or weakness
• Persistent cough

How are Pediatric Sarcomas diagnosed?

Generally, we identify the type of sarcoma by taking a sample of the tumor and studying its DNA. Then we take detailed pictures of the tumor, through tests like an MRI and PET-CT scan. These images show us how big the tumor is and whether it has spread to other places in the body.

We use the type, size and location of the tumor to decide which treatment will work best for your child.

What causes Pediatric Sarcomas?

Unfortunately, no one knows what causes these tumors.

How are Pediatric Sarcomas treated?

We offer several different treatments. Our pediatric oncologists work closely with the surgery and radiation oncology teams to provide seamless care throughout the course of treatment. Our surgeons have expertise in performing complex surgeries, such as limb salvage or rotationplasty, that are used to treat osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma. Our radiation oncologists use cutting-edge techniques to effectively kill the tumor cells while also minimizing toxicity.

At Children’s Health℠, we always look for new and better treatments. Our patients have access to clinical trials that might only be available at a handful of hospitals. We provide access to the newest treatment options for patients with relapsed cancer through clinical trials offered in our Experimental Therapeutics Program. We also use genetic testing, through our Precision Medicine Program, to identify genetic mutations that can be targeted with medications, providing a more effective treatment with fewer side effects.