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.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Ochi
Naoki
N
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe University Hospital, Kusunoki-cho 7-5-1, Chuo-Ku, Kobe 650-0017, Japan.
Uozumi
Masaki
M
Doi
Kiyoshi
K
Tanimoto
Hitoshi
H
Ohbayashi
Chiho
C
Inagaki
Hiroshi
H
Nibu
Ken-ichi
K
D000328:Adult; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013584:Sarcoma, Synovial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery