A Case of Poorly Differentiated Synovial Sarcoma Arising in a Nasal Cavity Radiation Field: An Unusual Tumor in an Unusual Location

Int J Surg Pathol. 2023 Feb;31(1):76-81. doi: 10.1177/10668969221098092. Epub 2022 May 20.

Abstract

Synovial sarcomas are high-grade soft tissue sarcomas of primitive mesenchymal origin which are defined by a pathognomonic t(X;18)(p11,q11) translocation, and which occur in pediatric and adult populations. Herein we report a case of a 33-year-old female with a history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma status post radiotherapy, presenting with a poorly differentiated synovial sarcoma of the nasal cavity arising in the radiation field. While the development of radiation-associated sarcoma is a known complication of radiotherapy, to date only 10 cases of synovial sarcoma have been reported to occur in previously irradiated tissues. Moreover, only 1 case of poorly differentiated synovial sarcoma involving the nasopharynx has been described.

Keywords: SS18::SSX; radiation; sinonasal; synovial sarcoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Nasal Cavity / pathology
  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion
  • Sarcoma, Synovial* / diagnosis
  • Sarcoma, Synovial* / pathology
  • Soft Tissue Neoplasms*

Substances

  • Oncogene Proteins, Fusion