synovium cancer

What is Synovial Sarcoma?

Synovial sarcoma is a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects the soft tissues around joints and tendons. It is a type of soft tissue sarcoma, which means it originates from the connective tissue that supports muscles, bones, and other organs.

• Prevalence: Synovial sarcoma accounts for 5-10% of all soft tissue sarcomas (STS) [9].
• Age and Demographics: It is more commonly diagnosed in people under 40 years old, with one-third of patients being under the age of 30 [3][12]. Males are slightly more likely to be affected.
• Location: Synovial sarcoma usually occurs near large joints, such as the shoulders, hips, knees, and ankles [8].
• Symptoms: Initially, there may be few symptoms or pain. As the tumor grows, it can cause joint movement issues, swelling, and pain [15].

Causes and Risk Factors

The exact cause of synovial sarcoma is unknown, but it is believed to arise from different types of soft tissue, such as muscle or ligaments.

• Genetic Predisposition: Some cases may be associated with a specific genetic translocation, t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2) [13].

Diagnosis and Treatment

Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for improving prognosis. A doctor specializing in sarcoma should be consulted for proper evaluation.

• Surgery: The first surgery to remove the tumor may determine a patient's prognosis.
• Radiation Therapy: After surgery, radiation therapy can kill cancer cells that remain.
• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses strong medicines to kill cancer cells and may be used before or after surgery.
• Targeted Therapy: This type of treatment specifically targets cancer cells.

Prognosis

The prognosis for synovial sarcoma patients varies depending on the stage at diagnosis, tumor size, and response to treatment. Generally speaking, early diagnosis and treatment lead to better outcomes [14].

References:

[3] - Context 3 [8] - Context 8 [9] - Context 9 [12] - Context 12 [13] - Context 13 [14] - Context 14 [15] - Context 15

Common Signs and Symptoms of Synovial Sarcoma

Synovial sarcoma, a rare type of cancer, can manifest in various ways. The most common signs and symptoms include:

• Swelling or lump: A painless lump under the skin is often the first symptom noticed by patients [1][2].
• Pain: Pain, especially if the tumor is pressing on a nerve, can occur as it grows [3]. This pain can be sharp and sudden [9].
• Numbness: Numbness or tingling sensations in the affected area can also be experienced due to nerve compression [6][7].
• Limited range of motion: In some cases, patients may experience limited mobility in an arm or leg due to tumor growth [6].

It's essential to note that synovial sarcoma can occur almost anywhere in the body, but it most commonly affects the soft tissues around joints like the hip, knee, ankle, or shoulder [2]. If you find a lump or experience persistent pain, it's crucial to consult a doctor for proper evaluation and diagnosis.

References:

[1] Synovial sarcoma begins as a growth of cells that can multiply quickly and destroy healthy tissue. The first symptom is usually swelling or a lump under the skin. [2] The most common places for synovial sarcomas are the soft tissues around your hip, knee, ankle, or shoulder joints. [3] If it is near a nerve, it might cause pain or numbness as it grows. [6] What are the symptoms? · swelling · numbness · pain, especially if the tumor is pressing on a nerve · limited range of motion in an arm or leg. [7] What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Synovial Sarcoma? · Swelling · A tumor that can be felt, usually deep in the tissue · Pain that lasts a long period of time ... [9] What are the symptoms of synovial sarcoma? · A painless lump under the skin · Sudden, sharp pain · Swelling.

Diagnostic Tests for Synovial Sarcoma

Synovial sarcoma, a rare form of soft tissue cancer, can be challenging to diagnose. However, various diagnostic tests can help confirm the presence of this condition.

• Imaging tests: Imaging tests such as X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and computed tomography (CT) scans can show where a synovial sarcoma is located, its size, and whether it has spread to other areas of the body [5][7].
• Biopsy: A biopsy is the only test that can make a definite diagnosis of synovial sarcoma. It involves taking a sample of the tumor, which is then checked under a microscope for cancer cells by a pathologist [2][8].
• Molecular analysis: Molecular techniques are used to determine the translocation associated with synovial sarcoma, such as t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2) [12].
• Immunohistochemistry: Immunohistochemistry can provide more details about the cancer cells and help confirm the diagnosis [7][11].

Other diagnostic tests

In addition to these tests, other diagnostic procedures may be used to diagnose synovial sarcoma, including:

• Ultrasound: Ultrasound can provide information in the early stages of diagnosis of synovial sarcoma and determine whether a mass is fluid-filled or solid [14].
• Complete blood count (CBC) and blood chemistries: Diagnostic testing will probably include CBC and blood chemistries to rule out other conditions [15].

It's essential to note that an official diagnosis can only be made by a pathologist after obtaining tissue samples through biopsy or surgery [13].

Treatment Options for Synovial Sarcoma

Synovial sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of soft tissue cancer, can be treated with various drug therapies in addition to surgery and radiation. According to the search results, some of these treatment options include:

• Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy may be used to treat synovial sarcoma, especially if the cancer has spread or come back after initial treatment.
• Targeted therapy: Targeted therapies, such as entrectinib (Rozlytrek), can be effective in treating certain types of sarcomas that test positive for specific genetic markers.
• Immunotherapy: Immunotherapies like afamitresgene autoleucel (Tecelra) have been approved by the FDA to treat metastatic synovial sarcoma, marking a significant breakthrough in cancer treatment.

Recent Advances in Treatment

In recent years, there has been progress in developing new treatments for synovial sarcoma. For example:

• Gene therapy: Gene therapies like afamitresgene autoleucel have shown promise in treating this type of cancer.
• Targeted therapies: Targeted therapies such as entrectinib (Rozlytrek) can be effective in treating certain types of sarcomas.

Current Treatment Landscape

While treatment options for synovial sarcoma are evolving, surgery remains the main treatment approach. Radiation and chemotherapy may also be used to complement surgical treatment. According to search result [11], other special tests give more details about cancer cells, which helps healthcare teams make a treatment plan.

References:

• [3] The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted accelerated approval for the immunotherapy afamitresgene autoleuecel (Tecelra) for the treatment of adults with a rare soft tissue cancer called synovial sarcoma.
• [8] Atezolizumab (Tecentriq) targets the PD-L1 checkpoint protein, boosting the immune response against cancer cells.
• [9] Entrectinib (Rozlytrek) is another drug used to treat some types of sarcoma that test positive for specific genetic markers.

The differential diagnosis for synovial sarcoma, a rare type of cancer that affects the soft tissues around joints, is broad and includes several other conditions.

• Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma: This is a type of cancer that can occur in any part of the body, including the soft tissues around joints. It is characterized by its lack of differentiation into specific cell types.
• Fibrosarcoma: A rare type of cancer that affects the fibrous connective tissue, which provides support and structure to various parts of the body.
• Liposarcoma: A type of cancer that affects fatty tissues in the body. It can occur in any part of the body but is most commonly found in the soft tissues around joints.
• Osteosarcoma: A type of bone cancer that can spread to other parts of the body, including the soft tissues around joints.
• Chondrosarcoma: A rare type of cancer that affects cartilage and can occur in any part of the body, including the soft tissues around joints.

These conditions share similar symptoms with synovial sarcoma, such as pain, swelling, and limited mobility. However, they have distinct characteristics and require different treatment approaches.

According to a study published in 2023 [6], the differential diagnosis for synovial sarcoma is very broad, and cysts can be difficult to distinguish from small SSs. As small SSs can present as well-defined, rounded masses with minimal surrounding inflammation, they may be mistaken for other conditions such as cysts or benign tumors.

In another study published in 2016 [9], synovial sarcoma was described as one of the rarest types of cancer, and its differential diagnosis includes a wide range of conditions that can affect the soft tissues around joints.

The presence of t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2) is a pathognomonic feature of synovial sarcoma [10], which can help differentiate it from other conditions. However, this genetic marker may not be present in all cases of synovial sarcoma, and additional diagnostic tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

In summary, the differential diagnosis for synovial sarcoma is broad and includes several other conditions that share similar symptoms. Accurate diagnosis requires a combination of clinical evaluation, imaging studies, and molecular testing.