Causes of Ewing Sarcoma
The exact cause of Ewing sarcoma is not fully understood. Researchers have not been able to pinpoint risk factors or prevention measures for Ewing sarcoma. However, researchers have discovered chromosomal changes in a cell's DNA that can lead to the formation of Ewing sarcoma. These changes are not inherited. They develop in children for no apparent reason after they are born.

In most cases, the changes involve the fusing of genetic material between chromosomes 11 and 22. When a certain piece of chromosome 11 is placed next to the EWS gene on chromosome 22, the EWS gene gets "switched on." This activation leads to an overgrowth of the cells and eventually the development of cancer. Less often, there is an exchange of DNA between chromosome 22 and another chromosome that leads to the EWS gene being turned on. The exact mechanism remains unclear, but this important discovery has led to improvements in diagnosing Ewing sarcoma.