Synovial sarcoma of the neck

Background: Synovial sarcoma is a soft tissue sarcoma rarely seen in the head and neck. Due to its rarity and morphologic variations, diagnosis is difficult in most cases. Method: A case of synovial sarcoma arising in the upper neck is presented. The detection of the specific chromosomal translocation t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2) is also described. Result: A specific chimeric gene, the SSX-SYT fusion gene, was identified in the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded surgical specimen using the reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique. Conclusion: Synovial sarcoma contains a characteristic chromosomal translocation, which serves as a useful diagnostic tool. RT-PCR technique has enabled to detect this specific translocation not only in fresh tissues but also in archival paraffin-embedded specimens. Copyright (C) 2004 S. Karger AG, Basel.