Treatment of patients aged over 50 years with non-osseous Ewing's sarcoma family tumors: five cases and review of literature
Bar-Sela, G.; Peer, A.; Rothschild, S.; Haim, N.
Tumori 94(6): 809-812
2008
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-8916 PMID: 19267097 Document Number: 622650
Most clinical trials on Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors include pediatric and adolescent populations, whereas clinical data on older patients are limited. We report on 5 patients older than 50 years with a tumor of the Ewing's sarcoma family treated recently in our department. Myelosuppression and infectious complications were the main toxicity encountered. Major dose reductions and/or treatment delays were required in all 5 patients. One patient died of septic shock. Complete remission was achieved in the remaining 4 patients with the addition of different treatment modalities. One patient had lung metastasis 3 years after starting chemotherapy, and 3 patients have remained without evidence of recurrent disease for 1-6 years from the onset of chemotherapy There is no definite answer as to whether older age is a poor prognostic factor in patients with a tumor of the Ewing's sarcoma family. In our experience, patients over 50 poorly tolerated the standard chemotherapy protocol used in the pediatric population.