Synovial sarcoma of the vulva: a report of two cases

Mod Pathol. 1996 Oct;9(10):970-4.

Abstract

We report two cases of synovial sarcoma arising in the vulva. The patients were 30 and 37 years old and presented with a painless mass that was interpreted clinically as a cyst. The tumors were 2.0 and 1.2 cm in greatest diameter. Histologically, they were composed of epithelial cells forming solid nests and gland-like and papillary structures surrounded by spindle-shaped cells. Immunohistochemically, the epithelial cells stained for cytokeratin and the spindle-shaped cells for vimentin. Ultrastructurally, the epithelial cells had prominent intercellular junctions and narrow microvilli and were separated from the spindle-shaped cells by a basal lamina. The spindle-shaped cells were closely apposed with focal intercellular contacts. One tumor recurred locally 3.5 years after excision, but the patient was alive and well 1 year after a re-excision and radiation therapy. The other patient was alive and well 4 years after an excision. These tumors are the first reported examples of synovial sarcoma arising in the vulva.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epithelium / chemistry
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Keratins / analysis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Sarcoma, Synovial / chemistry
  • Sarcoma, Synovial / pathology*
  • Sarcoma, Synovial / surgery
  • Vimentin / analysis
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / chemistry
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Vulvar Neoplasms / surgery

Substances

  • Vimentin
  • Keratins