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Living with Synovial sarcoma

A rare soft tissue cancer that can cause a growing lump, swelling, or pain.

Understanding Synovial sarcoma

Synovial sarcoma is a rare and aggressive cancer of the soft tissues.

As the tumor grows, people may notice a lump or swelling. The tumor can limit range of motion or cause numbness or pain if it presses on nearby nerves. The tumor cells usually have a swap of material between chromosomes X and 18, which is specific to this cancer and often used to diagnose it. It can occur at any time in life.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD describes these:

  • A lump or swelling
  • Limited range of motion
  • Numbness
  • Pain from pressure on nearby nerves

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include cancer specialists.

  3. Ask which tests can help

    Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.

  4. Connect with expert centers

    Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and Sarcoma Foundation of America may keep lists of experts for this condition.

Care & treatment

Care team
Cancer specialists (oncologists)
Expert care
Expert lists: Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, Sarcoma Foundation of America
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation and other patient organizations
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Has the chromosome X and 18 change been confirmed in my tumor?
What are the treatment options for my tumor's size and location?
Which specialists should be on my care team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startany time in life

GARD says the cause is not clearly defined, but genetic factors are believed to play a role. The tumor cells usually carry a translocation (swap) between chromosomes X and 18.

Also known as: malignant synovioma; sarcoma, synovial, malignant; synovial sarcoma (disease); synovialosarcoma; synovioma; synovioma, malignant

Patient organizations

Source: NIH GARD · Synovial sarcomaGARD ID 7721 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

You are more than your diagnosis

Perspectives from people navigating life with Synovial sarcoma.

Explore the Synovial sarcoma blog

Explore research for Synovial sarcoma

Explore actively recruiting Synovial sarcoma studies with HealthSpark.

HealthSpark

Find actively recruiting studies for Synovial sarcoma with HealthSpark. Share your city to explore research near you.

  • Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
  • Share your city to look for research near you
  • Eligibility is confirmed by the study team

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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.

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