60% children suffering from Ewing’s sarcoma survived at BBCI: Study

GUWAHATI: Sixty per cent of children who were treated for Ewing’s sarcoma — the most common bone cancer — for the stipulated five years, have survived, a study conducted at the Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahati, has found.

This five-year survival is considered as the cure period for this type of cancer, the study, a first of its kind in the northeast, found.

However, less than 20% of the children who couldn’t complete the treatment due to various socio-economic factors survived for only a year. The study done with patients attending paediatric cancer OPD of BBCI from 2013-2017 have shown that there was no significant difference in survival between patients with below and above poverty lines. In the study done at BBCI, Guwahati, it was observed that those patients who completed their treatment protocol had a better survival rate (68%) as compared to those who defaulted or refused treatment (14%).

Dr Munlima Hazarika, professor of medical and paediatric oncology at BBCI, said, “These types of bone cancers are potentially curable, provided patients complete their planned treatment protocol. Ewing’s sarcoma most often affects bones in the legs, arms, or hip, and it usually causes pain, trouble with movement of the joints and swelling in the area of the cancer. So, awareness among general practitioners about this entity is needed for early diagnosis and referral for treatment.”

She said most patients came with advanced stage of the disease as they visited many doctors and quacks before coming to BBCI. “87% of patients we treated with an intention to cure. Others came in a very advanced stage and could not be saved, although paediatric Ewings sarcoma is a curable malignancy,” said Hazarika, adding that more than 90% of patients presented with swelling in the lower limbs although Ewing’s sarcoma may involve any bone.

The cancer is usually treated with both surgery and chemotherapy. But Hazarika said the type of surgery depends on where the cancer is and how big it is. “Depending on the type of surgery, the doctor might need to ‘rebuild’ part of the bone after surgery. Chemotherapy is used to kill these cancer cells or stop them from growing. People with Ewing’s sarcoma usually have chemotherapy both before and after surgery. Some people with Ewing’s sarcoma might be treated with radiation therapy instead of surgery,” she added.

Dr Amal Chandra Kataki, director of BBCI, said in November 2017, Assam Gas Company Limited under its corporate social responsibility started a scheme called “Aparajeeya” for providing free treatment to childhood cancer patients at the institute. “St Jude India Home of Childhood Cancer at BBCI provides free accommodation, learning opportunities, and counselling to these children. Also, support from Jiv Daya Foundation, USA, and Cuddle’s Foundation have helped these parents to cope with the associated hurdles and difficulties for treatment of their child with cancer,” Dr Kataki added.