[Severe respiratory insufficiency as manifestation of a pulmonary metastasized Ewing's sarcoma]

A previously unknown tumor led to respiratory failure due to pulmonary metastasis in a young male. The shortness of breath began gradually and then rapidly progressed within 2 weeks. With the cause of respiratory failure still unclear, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) treatment was initiated to gain time for the definitive diagnosis. After the exclusion of infectious lung diseases the diagnosis could be made by a biopsy. Surprisingly, a Ewing's sarcoma was diagnosed and chemotherapy was initiated. This led to tumor regression within about 3 weeks, so that the patient could be successfully weaned from ECMO treatment.