Long-term results from the first UKCCSG Ewing's tumour study (ET-1)

• Published in: European journal of cancer (1990) 1997-06, Vol.33 (7), p.1061-1069
• Main Authors: Craft, A.W., Cotterill, S.J., Bullimore, J.A., The Medical Research Council bone Sarcoma Working Party
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Ewing's sarcoma; late effects; Medical sciences; Tumors of striated muscle and skeleton
• ISSN: 0959-8049; 1879-0852
• DOI: 10.1016/S0959-8049(97)00043-9

The aim of this study was to evaluate multimodal chemotherapy and radiotherapy in patients with Ewing's sarcoma. 142 (74 male, 68 female) patients were entered into the ET-1 study between 1978 and 1986. They were treated with vincristine, doxorubicin, actinomycin D, and cyclophosphamide with radiotherapy plus or minus surgery to the primary tumour. Of the 120 who had no metastases at diagnosis, 45 remain alive with a median follow-up of 11.2 years. Only 2 of those with metastases at diagnosis remain alive. The major prognostic factor was site of disease, but age and serum lactic dehydrogenase at diagnosis also had an influence on outcome. 45 of the 61 patients who survived 4 years or more had late effects documented. The type and extent were dependent on tumour site, type of local therapy, volume and dose of radiotherapy. 4 patients had second malignancies. Prospects for long-term survival have improved in patients treated for Ewing's sarcoma. However, late sequelae are present in the majority of patients.