Primary pulmonary synovial sarcoma: a case report and review of current diagnostic and therapeutic standards

Abstract

A 30-year-old female presented with hemoptysis, chest pain, and a rapidly enlarging pleural-based mass, and was found to have primary synovial sarcoma of the lung. Primary pulmonary sarcomas comprise <1% of all primary lung malignancies. They present clinically in young adults with cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, or hemoptysis, with a mass on x-ray and computerized tomography scan. Diagnosis is made by histology and immunohistochemistry. Histologic diagnosis has recently been supplemented by cytogenetic analysis, which offers important prognostic information. The mainstay of treatment remains complete surgical excision. Prognosis is poor, with an overall 5-year survival rate of 50%.