Synovial sarcoma

Synovial sarcoma (malignant synovium) is a soft tissue tumor that is formed from synovial membranes of large joints, fascia, tendon and muscle tissue. The pathological process disrupts the growth and development of cells, leads to their anaplasia.

Very often, the synovial sarcoma develops without a capsule. When histologically examined, it was determined that the tumor has a brownish-red color, with cysts and cracks. Sarcoma progresses and involves bone tissue in the tumor process, completely destroying it. Most often, this disease occurs in patients aged 15 to 20 years, both in men and women. Sarcoma metastasizes into the lungs, regional lymph nodes and bones.

Sarcoma of the joint is very rare. The disease can be primary or associated with synovial chondromatosis. Sarcoma of the joint is a malignant neoplasm consisting of mesenchymal cells. As a rule, the disease is located near the fascia or tendons, but can occur inside the joint or in adjacent areas. Sarcoma joints are most susceptible to lower extremities. Most often, the tumor is diagnosed in patients aged 15 to 40 years.

Causes of synovial sarcoma

The main reasons for the appearance of synovial sarcoma, have not been clarified to this day. But there are risk factors that contribute to the appearance of a tumor, they include:

• Hereditary predisposition - some types of sarcoma, synovial including, can be transmitted as genetic syndromes and diseases.
• The effect on the body of large doses of radiation.
• Effects on the body of carcinogens (chemical compounds).
• Conducting immunosuppressive therapy in the treatment of cancerous tumors.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]

Symptoms of synovial sarcoma

The disease can proceed slowly and difficult to be diagnosed, but in some cases, the synovial sarcoma manifests itself in the first stages of development. It depends on the location of the tumor. The main symptomatology that accompanies synovial sarcoma is pain and tumor formation in the body or joint. Restrictions in movements, fatigue, general weakness, weight loss. Some patients have an increase in regional lymph nodes due to metastasis of synovial sarcoma.

Symptoms of the disease manifest themselves in the form of painful sensations and slowly growing mass of soft tissue.

Types of synovial sarcoma

The main types of synovial sarcoma:

1. By structure:
   • Bizafnaya - consists of sarcomatous and epithelial precancerous components.
   • Monophonic - in structure similar to hemangioperitocyoma, has in its composition epithelial and sarcomatous cells
2. By morphology:
   • Fibrous sarcoma - tumor tissue is constructed of fibers and resembles fibrosarcoma in its structure.
   • Cellular - sarcoma consists of glandular tissue, can form cystic tumors and papillomatous neoplasms.
3. By consistency.
   • Soft - occurs in cellulosic sarcomas.
   • Hard - occurs if the tumor tissue is impregnated with calcium salts.
4. According to the microscopic structure:
   • Giant cell.
   • Histioid.
   • Fibrous.
   • Adenomatous.
   • Alveolar.
   • Mixed.

Sarcoma of the knee joint

Sarcoma of the knee joint is a malignant non-epithelial neoplasm. As a rule, the sarcoma of the knee joint is secondary, that is, it is the result of metastasis of another tumor formation (usually from tumors of the pelvic region). In some cases, the source of the sarcoma of the knee joint is a lesion of the popliteal lymph nodes.

Since the knee joint has both bone and cartilaginous tissue, the sarcoma can be an osteosarcoma or a chondrosarcoma. The main symptomatology of the disease manifests itself in the violation of motor functions and the appearance of pain. If the tumor grows into the cavity of the knee joint, it causes difficulty in movement and pain at all stages of the sarcoma. If the neoplasm grows outward, that is, to the skin integuments, then it can be diagnosed at early stages. Sarcoma begins to bulge in the form of cones, the skin under the tumor changes color, and the tumor itself is easily palpated.

If the sarcoma of the knee joint affects tendons and ligaments, then this results in the loss of the finiteness of its functions. But the articular surfaces of the knee, sooner or later begin to collapse and nullify the motor functions of the leg. Sarcoma causes puffiness and pain, piercing the entire limb. Because of the tumor, the nutrition and blood supply of the leg sections located below the knee is disturbed.

Sarcoma of the shoulder joint

Sarcoma of the shoulder joint often acts as an osteogenic sarcoma or fibrosarcoma. It is a tumor-like malignant disease that affects humerus, less often soft tissue. Sarcoma can be a primary, that is, an independent disease that has emerged as a result of trauma, the effects of radiation, chemicals, or as a result of hereditary predisposition. But the sarcoma of the shoulder joint may be secondary, that is, it appears as a result of metastasis of other tumor sites, for example, because of a tumor of the mammary glands or thyroid gland.

At the first stages of development, the sarcoma does not deliver painful sensations and it can only be diagnosed by ultrasound. But further progression of the disease causes painful sensations, a discoloration of the skin over the tumor and even deformation of the shoulder joint. Treatment of a tumor involves the use of methods of surgery. Before and after surgery, oncologists prescribe to patients a course of chemotherapy and radiation exposure to remove cancer cells and prevent metastasis.

Diagnosis and treatment of synovial sarcoma

To diagnose the disease do X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging. In the process of treatment, methods of surgical intervention are used. The patient undergoes a wide resection, which involves the removal of any lesions. As ancillary therapy to combat metastasis and the remaining cancer cells, chemotherapy and radiation exposure are used.

[8], [9], [10], [11]

Prognosis for synovial sarcoma

The prognosis for synovial sarcoma is unfavorable. Thus, the five-year survival of patients diagnosed with synovial sarcoma is 20-30%. Treatment of tumors involves the use of surgical methods, methods of chemotherapy and radiation exposure.