SYNOVIAL SARCOMA OF THE HEAD AND NECK - CHROMOSOMAL TRANSLOCATION (X-18) AS A DIAGNOSTIC-AID

Background. Synovial sarcoma, a rare tumor in the head and neck, has b een historically diagnosed by its characteristic biphasic histologic p attern. Monophasic variants exist which can be difficult to diagnose. Methods. Two cases of synovial sarcoma of the head and neck are presen ted. In both cases, cytogenetic analysis was performed using standard protocols. Results. Both tumors demonstrated a chromosomal translocati on, t(X;18)(p11.2;q11.2), which either made or confirmed the diagnosis . Conclusions. Synovial sarcoma contains a characteristic chromosomal translocation which is a useful diagnostic teal, especially when histo logic studies are equivocal. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.