Synovial Sarcoma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Written by Sumiran Racherla, MD. Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Synovial Sarcoma?
A sarcoma specialist, such as an orthopedic oncologist (a surgeon who treats bone and soft tissue cancers), usually leads care. A medical oncologist (a cancer drug doctor) and a radiation oncologist (a doctor who treats cancer with radiation) join the team. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is synovial sarcoma?
Synovial sarcoma is a cancer that can start in different types of soft tissue, such as muscle or ligaments. It is often found in the arm, leg, or foot, and near joints such as the wrist or ankle. It can also form in soft tissues in the lung or abdomen.
The word synovial in the name is misleading, because the tumor is not limited to the synovium (the lining of a joint) and can start anywhere in the body. It is rare, with one to two people in every million diagnosed each year in the US.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on where the tumor forms. Common signs include:
- A lump is often the first sign, and it is often painless.
- In an arm or leg, the lump is usually deep, hard, and growing.
- A tumor near a nerve might cause pain or numbness as it grows.
- A tumor in the lung can cause symptoms that look like pneumonia (a lung infection) or a blood clot in the lung.
A tumor can grow for a while before it is found, so it may spread to other parts of the body.
Causes and who gets it
In this cancer, chromosomes (the parts of cells that hold genes) break apart and get put back together the wrong way. This gene change is acquired during a person's life rather than inherited. Synovial sarcoma does not run in families.
No consistent environmental or work exposure has been linked to it.
It can affect any age, but it is more common in teens and in adults younger than 30.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors use scans such as X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, and MRI to take pictures of the tumor.
Your doctor will also do a biopsy, which takes a small sample of the tumor with a needle. A pathologist (a doctor who studies tissue) looks at the cells under a microscope to see what kind of tumor it is. Doctors also look for the gene change to confirm that it is synovial sarcoma.
Treatment
Treatment depends on whether the cancer has spread. Surgery is the first choice of treatment. When all of the tumor is removed and there is no sign of cancer anywhere else in the body, there is a better chance of survival.
Radiation therapy is sometimes used before or after surgery to kill cancer cells. Chemotherapy may be used when surgery cannot remove all of the tumor or when it has spread. For advanced disease, the first chemotherapy usually includes an anthracycline-based medicine, a type of chemo drug. Chemotherapy can cause side effects such as hair loss, nausea, and vomiting.
Newer options for advanced disease include targeted therapy and engineered T-cell therapy. One T-cell therapy is for eligible patients with synovial sarcoma that cannot be removed by surgery or has spread. Their tumors must have certain markers (HLA-A*02 and MAGE-A4). They must also have had chemotherapy before. T-cell therapy can cause cytokine release syndrome and low blood counts, so doctors watch closely.
Care should take place at a center with a lot of experience with this tumor. After treatment, follow-up includes exams and scans of the tumor area and the chest.
The outlook depends on where the tumor is, whether it has spread, and how much of it was taken out in surgery.
When to see a doctor
Doctors should think of this cancer when a healthy teen or young adult has a hard lump in the body, so a hard lump should be checked. If you have already been treated, keep your follow-up visits, because most returns of the cancer happen within the first 2 to 5 years.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have chest pain that lasts two minutes or more, or severe trouble breathing.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Such a doctor can examine a new lump, order first tests, and refer you to a sarcoma center. They can also help coordinate care between specialists and keep up with follow-up visits.
Common questions
Is synovial sarcoma cancer?
Yes, synovial sarcoma is a cancer that starts in soft tissue. It is described as a high-grade sarcoma with an aggressive course and a high chance of spreading early.
Does synovial sarcoma run in families?
No, synovial sarcoma does not run in families. The gene change behind it happens during a person's life and is not inherited.
What is the main treatment for synovial sarcoma?
Surgery is the first choice of treatment. Radiation therapy is sometimes added before or after surgery. Chemotherapy may be used if the tumor cannot be fully removed or has spread.
Who gets synovial sarcoma?
Synovial sarcoma most often affects teens and adults younger than 30, but it can happen at any age. One third of patients are diagnosed before age 30.
Sources
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
