Synovial sarcoma. A clinicopathological study of 31 cases.

Thirty-one surgically treated cases of synovial sarcoma were reviewed. The mean age of the patients at primary surgery was 37 years (range 10-78 years). Twenty-nine of the tumors were of the biphasic type and two were monophasic. Currently a monophasic synovial sarcoma can be considered as a specific entity. In contrast to other soft-tissue sarcomas, synovial sarcomas present the characteristics of a carcinosarcoma. The 5-year survival rate in this study was 55% and the 6-year survival rate 50%; after 6 years there were no recurrences. The primary treatment should follow the same guidelines that are currently given for other soft-tissue sarcomas: wide and radical excisional margins should be aimed at. Excisional treatment even of repeated pulmonary recurrences may be rewarding.