Synovial sarcoma is a malignant formation in the soft tissues. It develops from tendon tissue, fascia, muscles and the synovial membrane of large joints. The pathological process leads to cell anaplasia, a violation of their differentiation. A tumor develops that is difficult to treat.
General description of the disease
Synovial sarcoma is characterized by the fact that it does not have a capsule. If you cut the neoplasm, then inside it you can see many cracks and cysts. Over time, the tumor spreads to the bones, destroying them.
Most often there is such an oncology, the symptoms of which manifest rather quickly, in patients aged 15 to 20 years. Moreover, gender in this case does not play a role. The tumor is able to produce metastases that are found in the lungs, lymph nodes, bones 5-8 years after the onset of the development of the disease.
Such an oncology is diagnosed, the symptoms of which are initially poorly manifested, in only 3 out of a million patients, so pathology is considered quite rare. The tumor is localized mainly in the knee joints. Less commonly, it forms in the elbow joints or in the neck.
Sarcoma is able to recur after therapy. Moreover, the risk is quite high. She reappears after 1-3 years. The disease progresses very quickly. In addition, it is difficult to treat. Even with timely and successful therapy, a favorable outcome is very rarely predicted. The disease is insidious and aggressive.
Why does a tumor develop?
Synovial sarcoma can be triggered by such factors:
- Radiation or ionizing radiation.
- Carcinogenic effects of chemicals.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Immunosuppressive therapy of other malignant diseases.
- Injury
In order for the disease not to develop, it is necessary to eliminate these causes.
Pathology classification
Synovial sarcoma can be of different types. The classification of the disease can be carried out according to the structure of the neoplasm:
- Biphasic. Here, epithelial and sarcomatous precancerous components form.
- Monophasic synovial sarcoma. It in its composition has some one type of pathologically altered cells: epithelial or sarcomatous.
It is possible to divide the tumor into species according to its morphology:
- Fibrous. The neoplasm consists of fibers.
- Cellular In its structure, glandular tissue is present , from which papillomas and cysts usually develop.
Also, according to the consistency, a hard or soft tumor can be distinguished. There is a classification according to the microscopic structure of neoplasms: histioid, giant cell, fibrous, adenomatous, alveolar or mixed.
Symptomatology
If the patient develops such oncology, its symptoms are as follows:
- Sudden pain in the affected joint.
- Violation of mobility and functionality of the joint.
- Enlarged regional lymph nodes. It occurs due to the spread of metastases.
- Fast fatiguability.
- A significant increase in temperature.
- Fever.
- A hard or soft mass is felt in the affected joint.
- Weight loss.
Synovial sarcoma is a very insidious disease, so the very first symptoms are an occasion to consult a doctor.
Pathology diagnostics
Very often, even experienced doctors are mistaken in the diagnosis, and this is fraught with a rapid deterioration of the patient's condition. A full examination includes the following procedures:
- X-ray of the affected joint.
- Angiographic study of blood vessels.
- Radioisotope diagnostics for detecting the smallest foci of accumulation of malignant cells.
- Tissue biopsy of the tumor.
- Ultrasound
- CT or MRI.
- Laparoscopy.
- Cytological examination of a tumor sample.
- Chest x-ray to determine the presence of metastases.
- Immunological analysis of the tumor.
- A genetic study to diagnose changes in chromosomes.
Synovial sarcoma of the knee joint is considered the most common type of pathology among tumors of this type.
Treatment features
Therapy of any malignant formation should be long and intensive. It provides for the following stages of treatment:
- Surgery. Here the malignant node is removed within the healthy tissue. That is, another 2-4 cm of normal cells should be excised around the tumor. In some cases, removal of the affected lymph nodes or the entire joint may be required. To restore the functionality of the joint, the patient undergoes surgery to replace the joint with an artificial prosthesis.
- Radiation therapy. It is used mainly if the tumor has already metastasized. Such therapy is used both before and after surgery. In the first case, radiation helps to stop the growth of the neoplasm and reduce its size. After surgery, therapy is carried out in case of metastasis. The patient is shown several courses of radiation, between which there are intervals. Treatment lasts about 4-6 months.
- Chemical therapy. In this way, synovial sarcoma of the 3rd stage is treated. For therapy, drugs such as Adriamycin, Carminomycin are used. Such treatment can only be effective if the tumor is sensitive to cytostatic drugs.
Treatment of the disease cannot provide a 100% guarantee that the tumor will not reappear. But it is impossible not to produce therapy.
Forecast and Prevention
Malignant synovioma in most cases has an unfavorable prognosis. Only those patients in whom pathology was detected in the first degree of development have a high chance of survival. The percentage in this case is 80%.
The monophasic synovioma is the most terrible prognosis. The fact is that with it, metastases form immediately in the lungs. Biphasic tumor can be successfully treated in half the cases.
The disease is accompanied by the rapid formation of metastases, so when the first symptoms appear, you should run to the doctor. Synovioma is considered one of the most dangerous progressive diseases, which is diagnosed more and more every year. Therapy is not always able to completely save the patient from pathology, but it will allow him to extend his life somewhat.
There is no preventive regimen that can guarantee the prevention of the development of the disease. But those people who have a genetic predisposition should be examined annually. But even in the most difficult situation, one should not lose hope, because medicine does not stand still. Be healthy!