Primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma: Diagnosis on squash smears

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Synovial sarcomas are rare soft tissue tumors, typically affecting extremities.
• Primary pulmonary sarcomas are exceptionally rare, representing a small fraction of lung malignancies.

Observation:

• A 29-year-old male presented with a right lower lobe lung mass.
• Intraoperative squash cytology revealed a spindle cell sarcoma.

Findings:

• Histopathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed the diagnosis as synovial sarcoma.
• This case highlights a rare instance of primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma.

Implications:

• Early diagnosis of rare tumors like pulmonary synovial sarcoma is crucial.
• Intraoperative squash smears are a valuable, underutilized tool for rapid diagnosis.