Synovial Sarcoma

Synovial sarcomas are uncommon malignant tumors of uncertain histogenesis made primarily of spindle cells displaying variable epithelial components. In the respiratory tract, synovial sarcomas preferentially arise from the pleura and secondarily from the parenchymal tissue of the lung. The SYT-SSX fusion gene is characteristic of this sarcoma. Synovial sarcomas show no significant gender distribution and affect individuals with a wide age range. Symptoms are chiefly related to the effect of a space-occupying mass. Those tumors that occur in the pleura may present with effusions. In one series, conventional chest radiographs showed ill-defined thoracic lesions that computed tomographic scans subsequently helped to delineate. In that series, heterogeneous enhancement and an absence of calcifications were noted. Most if not all synovial sarcomas are inaccessible to the flexible bronchoscope. Therefore, data pertaining to their endoscopic appearance is very limited.