Ewing's sarcoma and extracranial primitive neuroectodermal tumors.

Ewing's sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor of bone and soft tissue are rare tumors, considered with the small round blue cell tumors of childhood. Recent advances link Ewing's sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor, and support the concept that these tumors represent stages of differentiation in a neoplasm of neuroectodermal origin. Advances in chemotherapy have resulted in the survival of the majority of patients presenting with these tumors. This review briefly outlines the year's literature regarding the histogenesis, biology, and treatment of this tumor.