[Synovial sarcoma of the oral cavity (foramen caecum) Report of a case and review of the literature].

The twelft case of synovial sarcoma of the neck originated in the base of the tongue at the foramen caecum is reported. The patient, a 21 year old man developed a 7 cm. tumor after a 5 month period. A radical neck disection revealed metastases to lymph nodes, to spinal chain and residual tumor infiltrating the parotid gland. The subsequent X-ray studies showed metastases to lung. The patient is well 1 year after surgery. The pathogenesis of synovial sarcomas in regions so distant from normal synovial elements as the neck and other sites is not clear. In the present case and in those reported previously it is probable that the arise from synovial cell lining tendon sheaths or adventitious bursae in the neck.