Synovial Sarcoma

Synovial sarcoma is a uncommon type of cancer. It's most often found near large joints like the knee. This cancer typically affects people who are younger adults.

This cancer starts as a growth of abnormal cells that multiply rapidly, potentially damaging healthy tissue around them. A common first sign is a noticeable swelling or a lump under the skin. This lump might or might not be painful.

While it can develop almost anywhere in the body, synovial sarcoma is more frequently seen in the limbs, such as the legs and arms.

Synovial sarcoma is a kind of cancer called a soft tissue sarcoma. Soft tissue sarcomas develop in the supportive tissues of the body, like tendons, ligaments, muscles, and fat. There are many different types of soft tissue sarcoma, and synovial sarcoma is just one of them.

Synovial sarcoma is a type of cancer that can develop anywhere in the body, but often begins near the knee or ankle. One of the most common signs is a slow-growing, painless lump or swelling. This lump forms under the skin and gradually increases in size.

Other possible symptoms of synovial sarcoma can vary depending on where the cancer is located. In general, you might notice:

• A lump or swelling: This is a common symptom and often the first thing people notice.
• Joint stiffness: Movement in the affected joint might become difficult and restricted.
• Pain: The affected area might feel sore or uncomfortable.
• Swelling: Fluid buildup in or around the affected area can cause noticeable swelling.

If the cancer develops in the head or neck, different symptoms could appear. These might include:

• Breathing problems: Difficulty breathing could range from mild discomfort to serious breathing difficulties.
• Difficulty swallowing: Food or liquids may become hard to pass down the throat.
• Changes in voice: The voice might sound different, such as hoarseness or a change in tone.

If you experience any of these symptoms that don't go away and worry you, it's important to see a doctor or other healthcare professional. Early detection and treatment are key to managing any type of cancer.

If you have any health problems that don't get better and make you feel concerned, it's important to see a doctor or other healthcare provider. Schedule an appointment.

The exact cause of synovial sarcoma isn't known.

This type of cancer happens when the instructions inside a cell's DNA become messed up. DNA is like a set of instructions for a cell, telling it how to grow, multiply, and when to die. In healthy cells, these instructions are followed precisely. Cells grow and divide at a specific rate, and they know when to stop growing and die. But in cancer cells, the DNA instructions are changed. These altered instructions tell the cancer cells to grow and divide much faster than they should. They also tell the cancer cells to ignore the signals that tell healthy cells to die, allowing them to live and multiply endlessly. This uncontrolled growth leads to a buildup of abnormal cells.

Sometimes these cancer cells clump together, forming a lump called a tumor. This tumor can grow and press on or invade surrounding healthy tissues, damaging them in the process. Over time, cancer cells can break off from the tumor and travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic system to other parts of the body. This spread of cancer cells to other areas is called metastasis.

Synovial sarcoma is a type of cancer that's more common in children and young adults. It's not something you can prevent. This means there's no known way to stop it from happening. While the exact reasons why this cancer develops are still being studied, being a younger person is one of the factors that increases the chance of getting this particular cancer.

Synovial sarcoma is a type of cancer that often grows slowly. This means it might take a while – sometimes years – for doctors to diagnose it. Sometimes, the symptoms of synovial sarcoma can be mistaken for other joint problems, like arthritis or bursitis. This can delay getting the right diagnosis and treatment.

To find out if someone has synovial sarcoma, doctors use a few different methods:

• Imaging tests: These tests create pictures of the inside of the body. They help doctors see where the cancer is located, how big it is, and if it has spread to other parts of the body. Common imaging tests for synovial sarcoma include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), X-rays, and computed tomography (CT) scans. These tests are like taking snapshots of different areas of the body.

• Biopsy: A biopsy is a procedure where a small piece of tissue is taken from the suspected cancer area. This tissue sample is sent to a lab for testing. The tissue can be removed using a thin needle inserted through the skin, or sometimes surgery is needed to safely get a sample. The lab will look at the tissue under a microscope to see if it shows signs of cancer. They also perform additional tests to learn more about the specific type of cancer cells and their characteristics. This information is crucial for creating a personalized treatment plan.

The information gathered from these tests helps doctors understand the cancer and create a treatment plan that's tailored to the individual patient.

Treating Synovial Sarcoma: A Look at Different Options

Synovial sarcoma is a type of cancer. Doctors use several approaches to treat it, and the best option depends on the situation. Here's a breakdown of the common treatments:

1. Surgery: This is often the primary treatment for synovial sarcoma. Doctors aim to remove the cancerous growth and some of the healthy tissue around it. Sometimes, this means taking out an entire muscle or group of muscles.

Historically, surgery might have involved removing a limb (like an arm or leg), called amputation. But modern medical advancements have greatly reduced the need for this drastic measure. To further decrease the risk of the cancer returning, radiation therapy or chemotherapy may also be used alongside or after surgery.

2. Radiation Therapy: Radiation therapy uses powerful energy beams to target and destroy cancer cells. During treatment, you lie on a table while a machine carefully directs these beams to the specific areas of the cancer.

Radiation can be used before surgery to shrink the tumor, making the operation easier and more effective. It can also be used after surgery to kill any remaining cancer cells.

3. Chemotherapy: Chemotherapy uses strong medicines to kill cancer cells. For synovial sarcoma, chemotherapy might be given before or after surgery. It's also sometimes used when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

4. Targeted Therapy: These therapies use medicines that specifically attack certain parts of cancer cells. The goal is to stop the cancer cells from growing or cause them to die. Scientists are currently studying targeted therapies for advanced synovial sarcoma.

5. Cell Therapy: Cell therapy works by boosting the body's own immune system to fight the cancer. This treatment involves taking some of your immune cells, modifying them to better recognize and attack the cancer cells, and then putting them back into your body. This process can take several months. One example of cell therapy for synovial sarcoma is afamitresgene autoleucel (Tecelra). It might be considered for advanced cases that haven't responded to chemotherapy.

6. Clinical Trials: Clinical trials are studies that test new treatments. They offer the chance to try the latest and potentially most effective options. However, the side effects of experimental treatments aren't always fully understood. It's essential to talk to your healthcare team about any available clinical trials.

In summary, treatment for synovial sarcoma is personalized and depends on the individual's specific situation. Doctors consider factors like the size and location of the tumor, whether it has spread, and the patient's overall health when choosing the best course of action.