Synovial Sarcoma – Symptoms and Causes
What is Synovial Sarcoma?
Synovial sarcoma is an uncommon cancer that typically develops near large joints, especially the knees. This condition mostly affects young adults. The cancer starts as a mass of cells that grow rapidly and damage healthy tissue.
Most patients first notice swelling or a lump under the skin, which may or may not be painful.
While the name suggests it occurs in joints, synovial sarcoma can actually develop almost anywhere in the body. The legs and arms are the most frequent locations.
Synovial sarcoma belongs to a broader cancer category called soft tissue sarcoma. These cancers form in the body’s connective tissues. Doctors recognize many different types of soft tissue sarcomas, with synovial sarcoma being one specific variety.
Signs and Symptoms
Synovial sarcoma typically appears as a slow-growing, painless lump or bump. Most often, these lumps develop near the knee or ankle, though they can form anywhere on the body.
Common symptoms include:
- A gradually enlarging lump under the skin
- Stiffness in nearby joints
- Pain in the affected area
- Noticeable swelling
When synovial sarcoma occurs in the head or neck region, it may cause additional symptoms:
- Breathing difficulties
- Trouble swallowing
- Voice changes or hoarseness
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If you notice any persistent lumps, unexplained pain, or other concerning symptoms that don’t go away, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.
Early evaluation of unusual symptoms can help with timely diagnosis and treatment.
Causes
The exact cause of synovial sarcoma remains unknown. This cancer develops when cells undergo DNA mutations. In normal cells, DNA provides instructions for controlled growth, division, and natural death.
When DNA changes occur, these instructions become altered.
The DNA mutations in cancer cells give different commands. These altered instructions tell cells to:
- Multiply rapidly without control
- Avoid the normal death process
- Continue living beyond their typical lifespan
This abnormal cell behavior leads to an excess of cells that may form a tumor. As the tumor grows, it can invade nearby healthy tissue and damage it.
Eventually, cancer cells might break away from the original tumor and travel to other body parts, a process called metastasis.
The spread of synovial sarcoma to distant areas makes treatment more challenging. Scientists continue to study the specific genetic changes involved in this rare cancer to better understand how it develops.
Risk Factors
Synovial sarcoma typically affects younger people, with most cases occurring in adolescents and young adults. Age plays a significant role in determining risk, with older children and those in early adulthood being more vulnerable to this type of cancer.
Currently, there are no known preventive measures for synovial sarcoma.
