Synovial sarcoma of the hypopharynx

Primary synovial sarcoma of the hypopharynx is an extremely rare neoplasm. Only 16 cases could be traced in the literature so far. An additional case, in a 29-year-old male patient, is presented. Progressive disturbance of deglutition and speech, chocking sensation, and mild respiratory distress were his original complaints. Our case differs from those previously reported in that a) the tumor was pedunculated, and the site of its attachment could be very well-defined, and b) unusual intratumoral destructive hemorrhage turned the case into an emergency. The pedicle was radically excised together with part of the grossly uninvolved underlying tissue, and the tumor was removed in toto. The histological findings are described. The patient is under observation. No recurrence has been noticed 11 months after surgery, and there are no signs of metastasis. The origin of the tumor and its treatment are discussed.