Synovial cell sarcoma of the neck. Case report and review of the literature.
Synovial sarcoma is an uncommon neoplasm accounting between 8 and 10% of all soft tissue malignancies. Involvement of the head and neck region is rare. So far, fewer than 100 cases have been reported in the literature and only a few originated in the soft palate, tongue, larynx, hypopharynx, and cervical oesophagus. We report the case of a synovial sarcoma of the parapharyngeal space in a 72-year-old female, and experience in the behaviour and surgical treatment of this neoplasm is described. The patient has remained disease free for 28 months, with regular follow-up. Based upon this case and the others reported in the literature, synovial sarcoma does not have a good overall prognosis, and on account of its rarity and unpredictable biologic behaviour, surgical excision, and regular clinical and radiographic follow-up for at least 3 years are strongly recommended.
Bertolini
F
F
Dept. of Maxillofacial Surgery, University Hospital of Parma, Italy. prezzemolo21@hotmail.com
Bianchi
B
B
Pizzigallo
A
A
Tullio
A
A
Sesenna
E
E
D000368:Aged; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009333:Neck / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D013584:Sarcoma, Synovial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors