What Is Synovial Sarcoma?
Synovial sarcoma is a rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcoma. In the early stages of the condition, it may cause no noticeable signs or symptoms. However, as the tumor grows larger, affected people may notice a lump or swelling. In some cases, the tumor can limit range of motion or cause numbness and/or pain if it presses on nearby nerves. Although synovial sarcoma does not have a clearly defined cause, genetic factors are believed to influence the development of this disease. Cells in these tumors are usually characterized by the presence of a translocation involving chromosomes X and 18. This translocation is specific to synovial sarcoma and is often used to diagnose the condition. Treatment generally includes a combination of surgery, radiation therapy and/or chemotherapy.
Source: Genetic and Rare Diseases (GARD) Information Center