Primary Extracranial Ewing Sarcoma Complicated by Hemorrhagic Shock and Multimicrobial Infection: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge

Read full text
Authors: Marta Anastácio, Marta Roldão, Andreia Salgadinho Machado, Daniela Cristina Caetano Maia, Ana Rita Lynce
Cited by: 0
References: 12

Abstract

Ewing sarcoma is a rare malignant neoplasm that is seldom located in the skull or scalp. We describe the case of a 19-year-old previously healthy man presenting with a rapidly growing left parieto-occipital exophytic mass following minor trauma, initially misinterpreted as an abscess. The lesion recurred exponentially with polymicrobial infection and progression to massive extracranial tumoral hemorrhage, culminating in hemorrhagic shock. Surgical excision and histopathological examination confirmed Ewing sarcoma with EWSR1 gene rearrangement. Staging revealed pulmonary, lymph node, and bone metastases. Despite the initiation of palliative chemotherapy, the patient experienced rapid tumor progression with recurrent hemorrhage, multiorgan failure, and death. This case highlights the rarity, aggressiveness, and diagnostic complexity of extracranial Ewing sarcoma, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach and early molecular confirmation.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Sarcoma Diagnosis and Treatment Orthopedic Infections and Treatments Surgical site infection prevention

Publication details

Journal / source
Cureus
Volume
18
Issue
1
Pages
e100568–e100568
Publication date
1 January 2026
Language
EN