Barry’s Story
Barry Burgoyne was diagnosed in April 2012 with Ewing’s Sarcoma Cancer (A Malignant Round-Cell Tumor). A very rare cancer that is seen mostly in children-adolescents.It is a massive tumor that occupies 40% of his spine and encases his aorta and esophagus that is inoperable. Barry will have to undergo a combination of chemotherapy and radiation, at Sloan Kettering Memorial Hospital in NYC. He will be receiving treatment for 8months- 1 year. Barry and his wife Michelle are proud parents to a beautiful set of 15 month old twins Giuliana Nicole and Luca William. Unfortuantely Barry has to leave his family for weeks at a time to seek his medical care in NYC, due to the rareness of this cancer about 350 cases per year. Barry has limited options as to where he can get proper care. Sloan Kettering specializes in this type of cancer and his doctor treats 10% of all Ewing’s cases. Please show Barry and his family support at this time and let them know they are not in this alone, we will all stand behind him and fight this battle with him until the end and we will over come it.
Ewings Sarcoma
Ewing’s sarcoma is a malignant round-cell tumour. It is a rare disease in which cancer cells are found in the bone or in soft tissue. The most common areas in which it occurs are the pelvis, the femur, the humerus, the ribs and clavicle.
Because a common genetic locus is responsible for a large percentage of Ewing’s sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumors, these are sometimes grouped together in a category known as the Ewing family of tumors. The diseases are, however, considered to be different: peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumours are generally not associated with bones, while Ewing sarcomas are most commonly related to bone.
Ewing’s sarcoma occurs most frequently in teenagers, with a male/female ratio of 1.6:1.
Although usually classified as a bone tumour, Ewing’s sarcoma can have characteristics of both mesodermal and ectodermal origin, making it difficult to classify.
James Ewing (1866–1943) first described the tumour, establishing that the disease was separate from lymphoma and other types of cancer known at that time.
You can also follow Barry and his journey on:
Twitter: @BarrysSarcome
Facebook page: Barry Burgoyne Cancer Fund page – check it out and like it!