Diagnosis of primary esophageal synovial sarcoma by demonstration of t(X;18) translocation: a case report

Abstract

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is an uncommon soft tissue tumor occurring mainly in the periarticular region of the extremities of young adults. In this report, we describe a very rare occurrence of primary SS of the esophagus in a 72-year-old woman. Histologically, the tumor demonstrated biphasic morphologic findings associated with poorly differentiated areas. Tumor cells expressed vimentin, epithelial (EMA, CK7, AE1/3), bcl-2 and neuroectodermal (CD56, CD57, CD99) antigens. Differential diagnose included esophageal sarcomatoid carcinoma. Cytogenetic analysis confirmed the diagnosis of SS by identifying t(X;18) translocation. The literature of this very uncommon entity of the esophagus is reviewed.

Primary monophasic synovial sarcoma of the duodenum with SYT/SSX2 type of translocation

“…Because this is the first case of a primary synovial sarcoma of the gastrointestinal tract with a subtyping of the translocation, nothing is known about its prognostic relevancy in this context. Similar to other authors [5,7], we suspect that synovial sarcoma of the digestive tract may possibly be an underdiagnosed condition. As cytogenetic and molecular techniques become more accessible for routine testing and awareness of this differential diagnosis grows, the diagnosis of synovial sarcoma in the digestive tract may become more frequent.…”

“…The gastrointestinal tract is rarely described as a location of synovial sarcomas with few metastatic [4] and isolated cases of primary tumors. We were able to identify 10 cases of primary synovial sarcoma in the gastrointestinal tract described in the literature [5][6][7]: 9 of the esophagus and 1 of the gastric antrum. No data are available on the type of the t(X;18) translocation in these tumors.…”

Monophasic synovial sarcoma as a cause of obstructive ileus: Case report

“…Previous studies reported metastases in 50% of those cases, while the 5-year survival is 60.5% (6,12,13). Additionally, some studies have shown a 10-year survival rate ranging between 24 and 68% (6,(12)(13)(14). The most common metastases are found in the lungs, followed by lymph nodes, bone and liver.…”

Monophasic synovial sarcoma presenting as a primary ileal mass: a case report and review of the literature

“…In soft tissue synovial sarcoma, numerous studies over the years have reported that it is a high grade malignancy with a high rate of metastasis leading to death; 10-year survival rates between 24% to 68% and 11% to 56% have been reported [27,33]. …”