What is Ewing's sarcoma, the cancer from which Flavie from “L'Amour est dans le pré” suffers?

In the episode broadcast Monday, November 11 on M6, fans of the show “L'Amour est dans le pré” will learn sad news: Flavie, Valentin's suitor, has cancer. The diagnosis came during the filming of the show. “A week after I left Valentin's farm, the surgeon called me to give me an appointment quickly. I had sarcoma. I collapsed. The oncologist immediately told me that there was would have chemo I had undergone surgery for a tumor analyzed as benign before participating in the show. explained Flavie to Le Parisien. Since then, she has been able to count on the support of Valentin: “I didn’t ask myself the question of leaving or staying. We always have tough times in life, we have to get over them. Flavie was strong” the young man testified. Flavie suffers from Ewing's sarcoma, a cancer which is rare, “barely 80 to 100 cases per year in France” according to Dr Olivier Delattre, oncologist at the Institut Curie, whom we contacted.

Ewing's sarcoma is a tumor of the bone. “It can affect all bones in the body, long bones, flat bones, the location varies depending on the patient” the doctor tells us. “It is a cancer that generally occurs during adolescence, it is possible to see it in small children, adults and seniors but the most common age is 14-15 years old.” In question“a chromosomal break” informs our interlocutor. This break results in the fusion of two genes which then creates an abnormal gene, “it’s the engine of the tumor”. However, Ewing's sarcoma has no connection with the patient's parents and “is not a hereditary disease”.

The tumor manifests itself as swelling, “the patient notices an abnormal lump that had not been noted until then” and by persistent discomfort or bone pain at the site of the tumor (for example in the shin or hip), “this leads to a bone x-ray which reveals the tumor”. Sarcoma can also manifest as a spontaneous fracture as the tumor weakens the bone. “Pain that persists should lead to a clinical or even radiological examination to avoid any delay in diagnosis and treatment.”

The treatment of Ewing's sarcoma combines chemotherapy to reduce the tumor mass then surgery to remove any tumor residue. “There may also be radiotherapy depending on the location of the tumor and the age of the child, and post-operative chemotherapy” informs Dr. Delattre. It's cancer “which treats relatively well in localized forms (70 to 80% recovery)”observes the specialist. “It’s a little more difficult in metastatic forms, that is to say which have already spread elsewhere than in the initial bone.” Flavie started chemotherapy: “I'm fine (…), I'm in good shape and not too sick. Nothing changes except that I no longer have hair.”