Question

All of the following statements about synovial cell sarcoma are true, except:

• A. Originates from synovial lining
• B. Occurs more often at extra-articular sites
• C. Usually seen in patients less than 50 years of age
• D. Knee and foot are common sites involved

Hint:

The name is misleading; synovial sarcoma does not actually arise from synovium.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Clear up the name. Despite being called synovial sarcoma, this tumour does NOT arise from the synovial lining of joints. The name is historical and misleading. It arises from primitive mesenchymal cells, and modern pathology defines it by the characteristic t(X;18) chromosomal translocation.

Step 2: Check the location. Because it does not come from synovium, most synovial sarcomas occur away from joints, in the soft tissues near tendons, tendon sheaths and fascia. So the statement that it occurs more often at extra-articular sites is true.

Step 3: Check the age. Synovial sarcoma is typically a tumour of adolescents and young adults, usually under 50 years, so that statement is true as well.

Step 4: Check the sites. It most often affects the deep soft tissues of the extremities, especially around the knee and the foot and ankle region, so that statement is true.

Step 5: The only false statement is that it originates from the synovial lining. The answer to this except question is Originate from synovial lining (option A).