An analysis of Ewing's tumor in children at Roswell Park Memorial Institute

Twenty pediatric patients with Ewing's tumor seen at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, from 1954 to 1970, have been analyzed. Three patients are considered as cures. As the initial treatment, these three patients were all treated with radiotherapy to the primary tumor and adjuvant chemotherapy. Nine of the 20 patients were treated in this fashion. It was felt that the chemotherapy eradicated the subclinical micrometastasis and thus effected a cure. Five cases with reactivation of primary sites prior to, or simultaneous with, metastasis were noted, indicating incomplete sterilization of tumor by present radiotherapeutic techniques and also suggesting that more aggressive therapy be directed to the primary site along with the systemic chemotherapy.