About this topic
Cancer happens when normal cells grow out of control. Ewing sarcoma is a kind of cancer that happens most often in the bone. It is more common in children than in adults. This kind of cancer is treated in a number of ways. They may include surgery, radiation, or drugs called chemo. With early diagnosis and proper care, your child may have a good chance of healing. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do to care for your child.
- If your child had surgery, follow the doctors instructions for wound care.
- If your child is having chemo or radiation, the doctor may give your child drugs to help stop your child from feeling sick or other side effects.
- If the leg was affected, your child may need to use crutches.
- Wash your hands and your child's hands more often. Teach your child how to wash hands properly and often.
- Keep your child away from people who are sick, including those with colds, flu, measles, or other contagious illness.
- Do not allow direct contact with animals. Do not let your child change the litter box.
- Have your child wear a mask when going outdoors. Keep your child away from public or crowded places.
- Learn how to cope and support your child's feelings. Tell family and friends about your child's cancer and let people help.
- Consider joining a support group. This can help you understand and deal with your child's illness.
What follow-up care is needed?
- The doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your childs progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Your child may need more blood work, tests, or treatment.
- Your child may need to have physical therapy after surgery. This will help restore strength and motion to the affected part.
What drugs may be needed?
Ask your doctor what drugs your child will need to take. Give your child drugs as ordered by the doctor. The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Help with side effects like upset stomach and throwing up
- Prevent infection
- Help keep blood cell counts up
Will physical activity be limited?
- Rest is important. Your childs activity level will depend on the procedure or treatment. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for your child. Ask your doctor when your child can return to normal activities.
- Your doctor may suggest physical therapy for strengthening. Let your child do light activity. Start with walking and light exercises.
- Do not let your child take part in any contact sports.
What changes to diet are needed?
Your child may need to follow certain limits based on blood counts. This includes not eating fresh fruits and veggies. Your childs doctor will tell you if you need to watch these restrictions. Your doctor may recommend a dietician to help you and your child plan meals to help keep a healthy weight. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bones may break easily in the part where tumor was
- Cancer could come back
- Less function based on where the tumor was
- Infection
- Swelling of nearby tissue
- Muscle scarring
- Loss of bone growth
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, or sweats.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Upset stomach or throwing up even when taking the drugs
- Not able to play or take part in normal activities because of weakness
- Pain in the stomach
- Cough that is getting worse
- Swelling and pain at the site of cancer
- Soreness and warmth
- Broken arm or leg with no reason
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my childs condition.
- I can tell you what kind of treatment my child will be having.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my child's drugs or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if my child has a fever, feels weak, or has swelling or soreness where the cancer was.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons ‚
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00082 ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/cancer/ewings.html# ‚
National Organization for Rare Disorders ‚
http://www.rarediseases.org/rare-disease-information/rare-diseases/byID/765/viewAbstract ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚