Primary synovial sarcoma of the parotid gland

Synovial sarcoma typically develops in the deep soft tissues of the extremities in adolescents and young adults. Uncommonly, these tumors may arise (9%) in the head and neck region (9%), especially at the cervical and parapharyngeal sites. Primary synovial sarcoma of the parotid gland is a rare occurrence that may not uncommonly cause differential diagnostic difficulties. In these cases, an origin from within the gland rather than a secondary involvement by tumor from a surrounding structure must be confirmed. We report a new case of biphasic synovial sarcoma arising in the parotid gland and review the previously documented cases.