Ewing sarcoma more common in whites

The incidence of Ewing sarcoma was higher among whites compared with Asians/Pacific Islanders and blacks.

Previous nonpopulation-based studies have demonstrated higher incidence of Ewing sarcoma among whites; however, this is the first study to utilize a U.S. population-based cancer registry, according to the researchers.

The researchers identified 1,631 patients diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma from 1973 to 2005 using the SEER database. Ewing sarcoma was most common among those aged 0 to 24; 91.6% of patients in this age group were white and 86.3% were non-Hispanic.

There was a ninefold higher incidence of Ewing sarcoma incidence among whites compared with blacks (P<.001). When adjusted by population, whites had the highest incidence of Ewing sarcoma, 0.155 per 100,000 population, followed by Asians/Pacific Islanders (0.082) and blacks (0.017).

An increase in incidence over time was observed among whites who had an annual percentage change of 0.844% (P<.05); whereas, values could not be determined for the other two groups due to fewer number of patients.

The five- and 10-year disease-specific survival rate for Ewing sarcoma was not affected by race, but women had significantly higher survival rates than men. Among whites only, female sex was an independent predictor of improved survival (P=.031).

Jawad MU. Cancer. 2009;doi:10.1002/cncr.24388.