Clinical course in synovial sarcoma - A Scandinavian sarcoma group study of 104 patients

We analyzed treatment and outcome in 104 Scandinavian patients with synovia l sarcoma in the extremities or trunk wall, diagnosed between 1986 and 1994 . Only surgically treated patients without metastases at diagnosis were inc luded. Median follow-up of survivors was 6 (3-11) years. 34 patients develo ped metastases. The overall 5- and 7-year survival rates were 0.76 (95% CI 0.66-0.83) and 0.69 (0.58-0.78), respectively. Large tumor size and amputat ion were significantly associated with impaired metastasis-free survival. P atients with local recurrence had a higher risk of metastases following the local event. Local excision with inadequate margin was associated with a h igher risk of local recurrence.