Synovial sarcoma. A clinicopathologic study

Twenty-five cases of synovial sarcoma were reviewed clinically, roentgenographically, and pathologically. The histopathology of each tumor was classified as either monophasic (19 cases) or biphasic (six cases). A soft-tissue mass was seen on roentgenography in 70% of patients; calcification was present in 15% of cases. Treatment included surgery, with or without radiation and/or chemotherapy. Fifteen patients remained disease free at an average of 7.5 years, one patient had pulmonary metastasis, and nine patients have died. The critical prognostic factor was adequate surgical margins; there were no local recurrences with adequate tumor-free margins, but there was an 83% recurrence rate with inadequate treatment.