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A rare case of synovial sarcoma of diaphragm

A rare case of synovial sarcoma of diaphragm INTRODUCTIONSynovial sarcoma is a rare but highly malignant mesenchymal tumor accounting for approximately 5%–10% of all soft tissue sarcomas, mainly found inadolescents and young adults.1 Majority of synovial sarcomas arise near articular surfaces especially of lower limbs. However, the name is a misnomer, as the histogenesis of these lesions is still debated with some evidence of origin from primitive mesenchyme.2 Complete surgical excision of the tumor remains the first line of therapy.3 Here, we report a synovial sarcoma of the diaphragm with radical surgical excision and reconstruction of the diaphragm.CASE REPORTA 21‐year‐old male with no significant medical history, presented with complaints of chest pain and dyspnoea on exertion for 6 months. The patient had no constitutional symptoms or family history of malignancy. Electrocardiogram was suggestive of sinus tachycardia and global T wave inversion. Chest x‐ray was grossly normal. Echocardiography revealed large hypoechoic pericardial mass measuring 6.5 x 3 cm abutting the right ventricular free wall causing compression of the right ventricle. Contrast Enhanced computed tomography of the chest showed a well‐defined heterogenously hyperdense non‐enhancing mass in relation to pericardium, along the inferior aspect of heart, causing indentation of the right ventricle with preservation of pericardial fat plane (Figure 1).1FIGUREContrast enhanced CT of chest (A) axial and (B) coronal images showing a heterogeneously hyperdense mass in relation to inferior surface of heart and diaphragm (arrow indicates the mass).Complete surgical excision of the lesion was planned for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The approach was through median sternotomy. The pump was prepared to go on cardiopulmonary bypass whenever needed. Intra‐operatively tumor was found arising from superior surface of diaphragm, abutting the anterior surface of right ventricle and left ventricle apex, and adjacent pericardium. Frozen section biopsy was done and was suggestive of sarcoma. So, radical excision of the tumor was undertaken and the tumor was excised along with the involved pericardium starting from the right ventricle and then the diaphragm with a clear macroscopic margin and the defect in diaphragm was repaired with prolene mesh (Figure 2). The postoperative period went uneventful. Histopathological examination revealed spindle shaped tumor cells arranged in sheets and long fascicles with areas of hemorrhage and necrosis with negative margins. Immunohistochemistry showed patch positivity for CD99 and diffuse nuclear positivity for TLE‐1 suggestive of monophasic spindle cell synovial sarcoma, FNCLCC grade 3. It was staged as AJCC stage III‐ B and currently the patient is undergoing adjuvant chemo‐radiotherapy.2FIGUREIntraoperative images showing (A) tumor in situ (arrow), in relation with right ventricle and diaphragm; (B) mesh reconstruction of diaphragmatic defect (arrow poiting to the mesh).DISCUSSIONSynovial sarcoma, represents a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of uncertain differentiation, accounting for 5%–10% of all STS. Compared to other STS, it presents at a younger age and has equal predilection for both sexes.1 Most commonly affected sites include extremities, especially lower extremities, but have also been reported from head and neck, lung, pleura, mediastinum, abdominal wall, mesentery and esophagus.4 Synovial sarcoma of thorax can present with chest pain, dyspnoea, cough, hemoptysis, pleural or pericardial effusions.5Diagnosis is usually hinted by trans‐thoracic echocardiography and it can also determine the location, size and functional impact of the tumor to a limited extent.6 Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging helps identify the location of the tumor, it's extent and invasion of surrounding organs. These are essential for surgical planning. MRI helps better delineate the soft tissue planes and is a better modality over CT for surgical planning.7,8 In the index case, initial diagnosis was suspected on echocardiography with computed tomography helped us in planning the management.Primary synovial sarcoma can be monophasic or biphasic or poorly differentiated depending on relative abundance of spindle and epithelial cells, nuclear atypia and mitotic figures. On immunohistochemistry, 60% of these tumors stain positive for CD99 and diffuse expression of bcl‐2 can be seen. Immunohistochemistry also demonstrates strong and diffuse nuclear staining for transcriptional co‐repressor TLE1.9 In the present case, the synovial sarcoma was monophasic spindle cell type with CD99, bcl‐2 and TLE‐1 positivity.Radical surgical excision remains the first line treatment for these patients.10,11 In cases of extremity synovial sarcoma neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiation therapy is recommended for larger tumors (>5 cm), or in cases where a close margin may be required to preserve a major neurovascular structure or bone. Chemotherapy is reserved for patients with high‐risk tumors or advanced disease.8 However due to paucity of cases, optimal treatment strategies for intra‐thoracic synovial sarcoma like in this reported case are yet to be defined. The indexed case is undergoing adjuvant chemo‐radiotherapy as decided by a multi‐disciplinary team to reduce chances of recurrence. High grade tumors like these have a high risk of recurrence, however an R0 resection coupled with adjuvant therapy in this patient may lead to improved outcomes. As there is a very limited literature regarding the case discussed here it becomes difficult to determine the exact prognosis and surveillance plan for this patient. As there are no tumor markers, we plan on doing 3 monthly clinical evaluation, echocardiogram and chest x‐ray and a CECT chest after 6 months.CONCLUSIONSynovial sarcoma of diaphragm is a rare malignancy and multidisciplinary approach is needed for its management. However, due to paucity of data, optimal treatment strategies are yet to be defined and more research is needed in this regard.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSWe acknowledge Dr Divya Khosla for planning adjuvant therapy for such a rare disease.CONFLICT OF INTERESTThe authors declare no conflict of interest.AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONSAll authors had full access to the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data. Conceptualization, A.K.M.; Methodology, J.R., V.B.; Writing—Original Draft, A.M.; Supervision, A.K.M.; Project Administration, A.M., J.R.ETHICAL STATEMENTThis manuscript was approved by the institutional ethics committee. Informed consent was taken from the patient.DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENTThe data regarding this study can be availed from the corresponding author upon request.REFERENCESAytekin MN, Öztürk R, Amer K, Yapar A. Epidemiology, incidence, and survival of synovial sarcoma subtypes: SEER database analysis. J Orthop Surg. 2020;28(2):2309499020936009.Naka N, Takenaka S, Araki N, et al. Synovial sarcoma is a stem cell malignancy. Stem Cells. 2010 Jul;28(7):1119‐1131.Bezerra SG, Brandão AA, Albuquerque DC, Militão RC, Hadlich MS, Azevedo CF. Pericardial synovial sarcoma: case report and literature review. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2013 Dec;101(6):e103‐e106.Thway K, Fisher C. Synovial sarcoma: defining features and diagnostic evolution. Ann Diagn Pathol. 2014;18(6):369‐380.Vaidya PJ, Heroor A, Prasad S, et al. Multimodality management of primary diaphragmatic synovial sarcoma: first report. J Cancer Res Ther. 2016;12(2):1098‐1101.Siontis BL, Leja M, Chugh R. Current clinical management of primary cardiac sarcoma. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2020;20(1):45‐51.Liang C, Mao H, Tan J, et al. Synovial sarcoma: magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging features and differential diagnostic considerations. Oncol Lett. 2015;9(2):661‐666.Gazendam AM, Popovic S, Munir S, Parasu N, Wilson D, Ghert M. Synovial sarcoma: a clinical review. Curr Oncol. 2021;28(3):1909‐1920.Duran‐Moreno J, Kampoli K, Kapetanakis EI, et al. Pericardial synovial sarcoma: case report, literature review and pooled analysis. In Vivo. 2019;33(5):1531‐1538.Eilber FC, Dry SM. Diagnosis and management of synovial sarcoma. J Surg Oncol. 2008;97(4):314‐320.Ramlawi B, Leja MJ, Abu Saleh WK, et al. Surgical treatment of primary cardiac sarcomas: review of a single‐institution experience. Ann Thorac Surg. 2016;101(2):698‐702. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Cancer Reports Wiley

A rare case of synovial sarcoma of diaphragm

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© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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2573-8348
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10.1002/cnr2.1622
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Abstract

INTRODUCTIONSynovial sarcoma is a rare but highly malignant mesenchymal tumor accounting for approximately 5%–10% of all soft tissue sarcomas, mainly found inadolescents and young adults.1 Majority of synovial sarcomas arise near articular surfaces especially of lower limbs. However, the name is a misnomer, as the histogenesis of these lesions is still debated with some evidence of origin from primitive mesenchyme.2 Complete surgical excision of the tumor remains the first line of therapy.3 Here, we report a synovial sarcoma of the diaphragm with radical surgical excision and reconstruction of the diaphragm.CASE REPORTA 21‐year‐old male with no significant medical history, presented with complaints of chest pain and dyspnoea on exertion for 6 months. The patient had no constitutional symptoms or family history of malignancy. Electrocardiogram was suggestive of sinus tachycardia and global T wave inversion. Chest x‐ray was grossly normal. Echocardiography revealed large hypoechoic pericardial mass measuring 6.5 x 3 cm abutting the right ventricular free wall causing compression of the right ventricle. Contrast Enhanced computed tomography of the chest showed a well‐defined heterogenously hyperdense non‐enhancing mass in relation to pericardium, along the inferior aspect of heart, causing indentation of the right ventricle with preservation of pericardial fat plane (Figure 1).1FIGUREContrast enhanced CT of chest (A) axial and (B) coronal images showing a heterogeneously hyperdense mass in relation to inferior surface of heart and diaphragm (arrow indicates the mass).Complete surgical excision of the lesion was planned for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The approach was through median sternotomy. The pump was prepared to go on cardiopulmonary bypass whenever needed. Intra‐operatively tumor was found arising from superior surface of diaphragm, abutting the anterior surface of right ventricle and left ventricle apex, and adjacent pericardium. Frozen section biopsy was done and was suggestive of sarcoma. So, radical excision of the tumor was undertaken and the tumor was excised along with the involved pericardium starting from the right ventricle and then the diaphragm with a clear macroscopic margin and the defect in diaphragm was repaired with prolene mesh (Figure 2). The postoperative period went uneventful. Histopathological examination revealed spindle shaped tumor cells arranged in sheets and long fascicles with areas of hemorrhage and necrosis with negative margins. Immunohistochemistry showed patch positivity for CD99 and diffuse nuclear positivity for TLE‐1 suggestive of monophasic spindle cell synovial sarcoma, FNCLCC grade 3. It was staged as AJCC stage III‐ B and currently the patient is undergoing adjuvant chemo‐radiotherapy.2FIGUREIntraoperative images showing (A) tumor in situ (arrow), in relation with right ventricle and diaphragm; (B) mesh reconstruction of diaphragmatic defect (arrow poiting to the mesh).DISCUSSIONSynovial sarcoma, represents a rare type of soft tissue sarcoma (STS) of uncertain differentiation, accounting for 5%–10% of all STS. Compared to other STS, it presents at a younger age and has equal predilection for both sexes.1 Most commonly affected sites include extremities, especially lower extremities, but have also been reported from head and neck, lung, pleura, mediastinum, abdominal wall, mesentery and esophagus.4 Synovial sarcoma of thorax can present with chest pain, dyspnoea, cough, hemoptysis, pleural or pericardial effusions.5Diagnosis is usually hinted by trans‐thoracic echocardiography and it can also determine the location, size and functional impact of the tumor to a limited extent.6 Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging helps identify the location of the tumor, it's extent and invasion of surrounding organs. These are essential for surgical planning. MRI helps better delineate the soft tissue planes and is a better modality over CT for surgical planning.7,8 In the index case, initial diagnosis was suspected on echocardiography with computed tomography helped us in planning the management.Primary synovial sarcoma can be monophasic or biphasic or poorly differentiated depending on relative abundance of spindle and epithelial cells, nuclear atypia and mitotic figures. On immunohistochemistry, 60% of these tumors stain positive for CD99 and diffuse expression of bcl‐2 can be seen. Immunohistochemistry also demonstrates strong and diffuse nuclear staining for transcriptional co‐repressor TLE1.9 In the present case, the synovial sarcoma was monophasic spindle cell type with CD99, bcl‐2 and TLE‐1 positivity.Radical surgical excision remains the first line treatment for these patients.10,11 In cases of extremity synovial sarcoma neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiation therapy is recommended for larger tumors (>5 cm), or in cases where a close margin may be required to preserve a major neurovascular structure or bone. Chemotherapy is reserved for patients with high‐risk tumors or advanced disease.8 However due to paucity of cases, optimal treatment strategies for intra‐thoracic synovial sarcoma like in this reported case are yet to be defined. The indexed case is undergoing adjuvant chemo‐radiotherapy as decided by a multi‐disciplinary team to reduce chances of recurrence. High grade tumors like these have a high risk of recurrence, however an R0 resection coupled with adjuvant therapy in this patient may lead to improved outcomes. As there is a very limited literature regarding the case discussed here it becomes difficult to determine the exact prognosis and surveillance plan for this patient. As there are no tumor markers, we plan on doing 3 monthly clinical evaluation, echocardiogram and chest x‐ray and a CECT chest after 6 months.CONCLUSIONSynovial sarcoma of diaphragm is a rare malignancy and multidisciplinary approach is needed for its management. However, due to paucity of data, optimal treatment strategies are yet to be defined and more research is needed in this regard.ACKNOWLEDGMENTSWe acknowledge Dr Divya Khosla for planning adjuvant therapy for such a rare disease.CONFLICT OF INTERESTThe authors declare no conflict of interest.AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONSAll authors had full access to the data in the study and take responsibility for the integrity of the data. Conceptualization, A.K.M.; Methodology, J.R., V.B.; Writing—Original Draft, A.M.; Supervision, A.K.M.; Project Administration, A.M., J.R.ETHICAL STATEMENTThis manuscript was approved by the institutional ethics committee. Informed consent was taken from the patient.DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENTThe data regarding this study can be availed from the corresponding author upon request.REFERENCESAytekin MN, Öztürk R, Amer K, Yapar A. Epidemiology, incidence, and survival of synovial sarcoma subtypes: SEER database analysis. J Orthop Surg. 2020;28(2):2309499020936009.Naka N, Takenaka S, Araki N, et al. Synovial sarcoma is a stem cell malignancy. Stem Cells. 2010 Jul;28(7):1119‐1131.Bezerra SG, Brandão AA, Albuquerque DC, Militão RC, Hadlich MS, Azevedo CF. Pericardial synovial sarcoma: case report and literature review. Arq Bras Cardiol. 2013 Dec;101(6):e103‐e106.Thway K, Fisher C. Synovial sarcoma: defining features and diagnostic evolution. Ann Diagn Pathol. 2014;18(6):369‐380.Vaidya PJ, Heroor A, Prasad S, et al. Multimodality management of primary diaphragmatic synovial sarcoma: first report. J Cancer Res Ther. 2016;12(2):1098‐1101.Siontis BL, Leja M, Chugh R. Current clinical management of primary cardiac sarcoma. Expert Rev Anticancer Ther. 2020;20(1):45‐51.Liang C, Mao H, Tan J, et al. Synovial sarcoma: magnetic resonance and computed tomography imaging features and differential diagnostic considerations. Oncol Lett. 2015;9(2):661‐666.Gazendam AM, Popovic S, Munir S, Parasu N, Wilson D, Ghert M. Synovial sarcoma: a clinical review. Curr Oncol. 2021;28(3):1909‐1920.Duran‐Moreno J, Kampoli K, Kapetanakis EI, et al. Pericardial synovial sarcoma: case report, literature review and pooled analysis. In Vivo. 2019;33(5):1531‐1538.Eilber FC, Dry SM. Diagnosis and management of synovial sarcoma. J Surg Oncol. 2008;97(4):314‐320.Ramlawi B, Leja MJ, Abu Saleh WK, et al. Surgical treatment of primary cardiac sarcomas: review of a single‐institution experience. Ann Thorac Surg. 2016;101(2):698‐702.

Journal

Cancer ReportsWiley

Published: Sep 1, 2022

Keywords: diaphragm; mesh reconstruction; synovial sarcoma

References