Have you ever felt a small lump somewhere on your body, perhaps on your leg or arm? At first, you might have thought, "Oh, this is just a small swelling." Since there is no pain, you might not have paid much attention to it. But if it doesn't go away after a few days, it's normal to feel a little worried. That's why it's not a good idea to just ignore every lump that appears on your body. Today, we're going to talk about a rare cancer that can often start as a painless lump. That's Synovial Sarcoma.
Simply put, what is Synovial Sarcoma?
Synovial Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that affects the soft tissues of our body, such as muscles or ligaments . It gets its name because the cancer cells look similar to the synovial cells in our joints. Like the cells inside our joints like our elbows, hips, and shoulders.
One of the characteristics of this cancer is that it grows very slowly . That is why you may not feel any pain in the early stages. For many people, symptoms begin to appear after the tumor has grown large enough to be seen or felt. Sometimes, if a nearby nerve is pressed as the tumor grows, it can cause pain or numbness in that area.
It's normal for anyone to feel like their whole world is suddenly turned upside down when they find out they have cancer. "What will this mean for me?", "What will my life be like from now on?" You may have many questions running through your mind. You are not alone, and these feelings are very normal. Your doctor and your medical team are with you every step of the way.
In which parts of the body can this cancer develop?
This type of cancer can occur in many different parts of the body. The most common are:
- Abdomen
- Hands
- Feet
- Legs
- Lungs
In addition, this cancer can also occur in our joints. For example:
- Ankles
- Elbows
- Hips
- Shoulders
- Wrists
Very rarely, synovial sarcoma can occur in the chest, head, or neck area.
How common is this condition?
Like other soft tissue sarcomas, synovial sarcoma is a very rare cancer . Although it can occur at any age, it is most common in men under the age of 30 .
What are the main symptoms of this cancer?
Synovial Sarcoma is a very slow-growing cancer. Sometimes, the tumor can lie dormant in the body for up to two years without causing any symptoms. When symptoms do appear, you may notice:
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| A lump that is visible or palpable | This is the most common symptom. The special thing is that most of the time, this lump is painless. |
| Numbness | As the lump grows, it may cause pressure on a nearby nerve. |
| Pain | Although there may be no pain at first, pain may occur as the lump grows larger or presses on the nerve. |
| Swelling | You may notice swelling around the area where the lump is. |
These symptoms can be similar to those of other less serious conditions, such as arthritis or bursitis, which can sometimes delay diagnosis.
So remember, if you notice any new lump on your body, even if it's painless, and it's been there for more than two weeks, it's best to see a doctor and get it checked out. That's the best thing to do.
Why does this cancer develop? What is the cause?
Researchers have not yet found a specific cause for this, but they do know that it is caused by certain changes (mutations) in our chromosomes.
Simply think of it this way. Our chromosomes are like a big book. Genes are the words written in that book. Only when these words are in the right order can the cells in our body function properly. When synovial sarcoma develops, these chromosomes break and when they are put back together, some genes get stuck in the wrong places. Specifically, a gene called `SYT` gets mixed up with other genes that don't match it. Because of this mispairing, the message that the cells receive is wrong. Then the cells start dividing uncontrollably, forming a cancerous tumor.
How does a doctor diagnose this disease?
When you go to see a doctor, he will first do a physical examination, ask about your symptoms and health history. If he has any doubts, he will refer you to an oncologist.
The specialist will perform several different tests to determine the exact size and location of the lump.
| Test | What do you do with it? |
|---|---|
| X-rays | You can check to see if the lump has affected the bones. |
| MRI scan (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) | Very clear images can be obtained of the tumor and the soft tissues around it. |
| Ultrasound scan | It helps to initially identify whether the lump is solid or fluid-filled. |
| CT Scan (Computed Tomography) | This is important to see if the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (e.g., the lungs). |
After these tests, the most important test to confirm the disease 100% is a biopsy. This involves taking a very small piece of tissue from the lump and sending it to a lab. There, a pathologist examines the cells under a microscope to determine exactly whether it is cancer, and if so, what type of cancer it is.
What are the treatments for this?
The main and standard treatment for synovial sarcoma is surgery . The goal is to completely remove the cancerous tumor. The tumor is also removed along with a small amount of healthy tissue around it to eliminate any remaining cancer cells. In some cases, depending on how far the cancer has spread, an entire muscle or group of muscles may need to be removed. Your doctor will explain this to you based on your situation.
Surgery can be done as a single treatment or in combination with other treatments. These treatments are:
- Chemotherapy: Giving drugs that kill cancer cells.
- Radiation Therapy: Destroying cancer cells using high-energy rays.
- Immunotherapy: Stimulating our own body's immune system to fight cancer cells.
- Targeted Therapy: Administering drugs that target specific molecules that affect the growth of cancer cells.
- Anti-angiogenesis drugs: These work by stopping the formation of new blood vessels that supply cancer cells with blood. This then deprives the cancer cells of nutrients and causes them to die.
The treatment that is best for you depends on many factors, including the size of the tumor, its location, how long you have had it, and whether the cancer has spread to other areas (metastasized).
What can you expect after treatment?
With the advancement of medical science, there have been great advances in the treatment of Synovial Sarcoma. However, there is a risk of the cancer recurring after treatment, sometimes even after years. Therefore, your doctor will regularly check you for checkups for several years after treatment.
When it comes to cancer survival rates, the 5-year survival rate is around 50% - 60%. This means that 5 or 6 out of 10 people diagnosed with the disease are still alive after 5 years. It is very important to ask your doctor how these statistics apply to you and what your situation is.
Is there a way to prevent this from happening?
Unfortunately, this cannot be prevented because it is caused by changes in chromosomes that we cannot control.
But, the best thing we can do is prevent the cancer from spreading to other parts of the body (metastasis) . The only way to do that is to diagnose the disease early and start treatment as soon as possible . So, always be aware of the changes in your body. If you notice a new lump that doesn't go away in a few weeks, be sure to show it to a doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Synovial Sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that develops in the soft tissues. It often begins as a painless lump .
- This condition is most common among young people, especially men under the age of 30 .
- If you have a new lump somewhere on your body and it has been there for more than two weeks, don't be lazy or afraid, and definitely see a doctor.
- The sooner the disease is detected, the more likely it is that treatment will be successful. That is the best way to prevent the cancer from spreading.
- There are effective treatments for this, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Also, proper medical follow -up is essential even after treatment.
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