Ewing family of tumors (EFT) is a group of cancers that affect the bones or nearby soft tissue. Cancer occurs when cells in the body become abnormal and multiply without control or order. The cells form a growth of tissue, called a tumor. A tumor can be benign (noncancerous) or malignant (cancerous, meaning it can spread to other parts of the body). Depending on the type, EFT tumors develop in different places. EFT includes:
- Ewing tumor of the bones (also called Ewing sarcoma), the most common type of EFT
- Extraosseus Ewing (EOE), a tumor that grows in soft tissues outside the bone
- Peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PPNET), a rare tumor found in the bones and soft tissues, including Askin's tumor, which is a PPNET of the chest wall
EFT of the bone occurs most often in the legs, spine, ribs, or pelvis. EFT of the soft tissue is usually found in the thighs, pelvis, spine, chest, or feet.
This section covers EFT diagnosed in children and teenagers. For more information about adults, please read the Guide to Bone Cancer.
Find out more about basic cancer terms used in this section.
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Last Updated: February 08, 2012
