ABSTRACT
Synovial sarcoma (formerly tendosynovial sarcoma, synovial cell sarcoma, malignant synovioma, and synovioblastic sarcoma) is an intermediate- to high-grade malignant soft tissue tumor of the extremities (often in close proximity to joint capsules and tendon sheaths) in young patients. The musculoskeletal system is made up of hard and soft tissues. The former includes bones and cartilages (articular cartilages), and the latter consists of fat, muscle (smooth, skeletal, and cardiac), fibrous tissue (tendons and ligaments), synovial tissue (joint capsules and ligaments), blood vessels, lymph vessels, and peripheral nerves. Risk factors for synovial sarcoma include Li-Fraumeni syndrome, neurofibromatosis type 1, past radiotherapy, and exposure to certain chemical carcinogens. In the early stages, synovial sarcoma may be asymptomatic. In the late stages, the growing tumor may produce a lump or swelling, along with a limited range of motion, numbness, pain, and fatigue. Surgery represents the mainstay of treatment for synovial sarcoma, with chemotherapy and radiotherapy used as adjuvant treatment.
