Carlos Sarriabetter known on social media as Charlie, died of Ewing’s sarcoma, his relatives announced this Monday, August 22, through his Instagram account. A few minutes after the announcement of the news, the networks were flooded with comments in support of the relatives of this 20-year-old who had over 3 million followers.
His testimony on the Internet began when he had to enter the hospital four years ago after being diagnosed with this rare cancer that affects the bones or the soft part that surrounds them. As is common with those who narrate this type of situation through the mobile screen, Charlie is characterized by telling it in an honest and open way, as can be seen from the descriptions he made of himself on his social profiles networks: “A normal boy but with cancer” or “Bald from Tiktok”.
The young man from Alicante initially suffered from Ewing’s sarcoma, which he was eventually able to overcome. However, after he had an MRI due to pain he was having in his head, they told him he had a tumor of the crown, which was a metastasis of the first.
In recent months, he faced his fourth relapse. In this case, it is a tumor that affects the pudendal nerve and for which he is receiving chemotherapy. The Instagram message with which Charlie’s family wanted to announce his death undoubtedly maintained the young man’s characteristic courage: “Goodbye sons of bitches, see you in the afterlife“, it could be read.
Why in young
Experts classify Ewing’s sarcoma as a pediatric cancer because 90% of cases occur in patients aged between 5 and 25 years. And yet it is unknown the exact reason why it primarily affects these age groups. One hypothesis points to changes in chromosomes 11 and 22, an abnormality that generates an abnormal protein.
As specified by the Spanish Cancer Association, the life expectancy of patients with bone cancer has increased significantly in the last 30 years thanks to the development of chemotherapy. With multimodal treatment (application of surgery and chemotherapy) respect that two-thirds of patients that do not have metastases overcome the disease.
And although there is no specific registry in Spain, the survival rate for this cancer is 82% in five years, according to the American Cancer Society. Yes really, figures are drastically reduced if it spreads to other parts of the bodyas happened with Charlie, so it is convenient to pay attention to the first signs so that you can go to the doctor as soon as possible.
In general, the first symptoms with which this disease manifests itself are bone paininflammation and pain around the affected area, recurrent fractures in the same area, fatigue and involuntary weight loss.
The Spanish Association of People Affected by Sarcomas (AEAS) specifies that pain is also common increase after exercise, as in some cases there may be the appearance of a soft-tissue mass adhering to the bone, which causes pain on palpation. Also, this lump can affect the functionality of the joint if it is close to one.
For Ewing sarcoma, location is also a key consideration in determining risk. According to a article published by Spanish Journal of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatologyif the tumor is located in the pelvic areathe forecast it gets pretty bad.