Definition
Synovial sarcoma is a malignant tumor of the soft tissue with a very unfavorable prognosis. Fortunately, it is considered a relatively rare tumor, but among all malignant soft tissue tumors it is the 4th most common. The synonym for synovial sarcoma is also “malignant synovialoma”.
The typical age of the disease is between 15 and 40 years. The synovial sarcoma is therefore a tumor of the young adult. So far there are no data on a sex accumulation.
Due to the name “synovial”, which means joint fluid, one could think that the synovial sarcoma is located directly in the joint. However, this is not the case. Instead of growing intra-articularly, i.e.
inside the joint, the synovial sarcoma rather grows para- or extra-articularly, i.e. outside the joint. Predisposed are areas close to the joint, such as the foot, knee and hand. The synovial sarcoma develops primarily in the extremities, i.e.
arms and legs, and precisely where the synovia, i.e. the synovial fluid, is located in the immediate vicinity, i.e. at joints. In general, however, synovial sarcoma can manifest itself anywhere on the body, so internal organs can also be affected very rarely. Starting from its original location, the synovial sarcoma has a tendency to grow into surrounding structures such as tendons and joint capsules.
Causes
Synovial sarcoma is a tumor whose causes are not clearly defined or researched. Microscopically, it is a degeneration of the connective tissue of the affected soft tissue. The degeneration of these tissues can only partly be explained by molecular pathology.
It is known that in 80% of cases a defect in the chromosome can be responsible for the development of a synovial sarcoma. This is a rearrangement of chromosomal segments of both chromosomes X and 18. One of the predispositions for the occurrence of a synovial sarcoma is the prior radiation of the affected person. In addition, trauma at typical sites of synovial sarcoma manifestation, such as the extremities, increases the probability of the development of this malignant soft tissue tumor.
