A Case of Synovial Sarcoma Arising in the Tongue Base / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

Synovial sarcoma (SS) is defined as a malignant biphasic tumor of soft tissue of uncertain histogenesis characterized by epithelial glands situated within a spindled fibrosarcomatous stroma. SS comprising 5.6-10% of primary adult soft tissue sarcomas are more prevalent in adolescents and young adults aged 15-40 years. About 85-95% of SS arise in the extremities, only 3-10% arise in the head and neck region and rarely presents in the tongue. Males are affected twice as often as females. The hypopharynx and retropharynx are the most common sites of involvement in the head and neck. Fewer than 100 cases of SS have been reported in the head and neck area. We experienced a 21-year-old male patient who first complained of oral bleeding and dysphagia. Initial transoral biopsy specimen of the tongue base lesion was consistent with sarcoma. Surgical excision through left modified neck dissection with tongue base tumor excision and postoperative radiotherapy were performed. We will introduce this rare case report of SS with a literature review.