PROGNOSTIC FACTORS IN SYNOVIAL SARCOMA - A CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF 18 CASES

The prognostic factors for synovial sarcoma were analyzed retrospectiv ely in 18 patients. Variables evaluated for their use in predicting su rvival included the location of the primary tumor, tumor size, local r ecurrence, completeness of surgical resection, and histologic subtype. Chemotherapy was not evaluated because the patients received various regimens and/or inadequate doses. Tumor size was the most significant prognostic factor, and a diameter of more than 10 cm was associated wi th a significantly worse prognosis (risk ratio: 5.38) (P=0.012). We co nclude that complete surgical resection of tumors less than 5 cm in ma ximum diameter may be curative and that adjuvant chemotherapy may not be necessary for such patients, because the value of chemotherapy for synovial sarcoma is still controversial.