1st FERO Fellowship – Dr. Jaume Mora

The Ewing sarcoma (ES) family of tumours comprises a group of primary bone and soft-tissue neoplasms that predominantly affect adolescents and young adults. It is a rare disease (affecting around 50 individuals each year) and requires treatment in highly specialised centres. Thanks to the fellowship, a trial was carried out across Spain, covering a broad age range (children, adolescents and young adults), with the aim of developing the first nationwide ES treatment protocol.

The clinical trial conducted was a prospective, multicentre, non-randomised study for patients with ES aged 40 or under. All patients received uniform treatment, which has shown that outcomes depend mainly on the underlying biology of each case and are strongly influenced by the age at which the disease presents, most likely related to the cell of origin and the environment in which that cell becomes malignant.

In conclusion, the first FERO fellowship was a real boost for the study of this disease in Spain.