[Collagen of synovial sarcomas (immunomorphological studies)]

Results of an immuno-morphological analysis of the I, II, IV and V collagen types in 7 synovial sarcomas of various location are presented. A fibrillar matrix of synovial sarcomas is represented by a collagen of type I and collagen of type V which is co-distributed with the former. Collagen of type III is found in a smaller quantity and in areas of fibrosarcoma-like structure being included in the largest fibrillar structures. Collagen of type IV is presented in all structural areas of tumours. The greatest amount of the IV type collagen is observed in areas of the epithelioid and hemangiopericytoma-like structure, less in areas of fibrosarcoma-like structure. These results may be used in differential diagnostics. In the walls of fissure-like spaces, only the IV type collagen was found as distinct from vascular tumours. On the basis of the data obtained and analysis of the literature a mesodermal origin of synovial sarcoma is suggested.