Oropharyngeal Synovial Sarcoma: A Case Report

Synovial sarcoma is a rare and aggressive type of sarcoma that develops from mesenchymal cells and accounts for around 8% to 10% of all cases of soft tissue sarcoma. The presence of synovial sarcoma in the head-and-neck region is characterised by aggressive behaviour and a generally unfavourable prognosis. Understanding the various manifestations of synovial sarcoma, particularly uncommon locations like the oropharynx, significantly improves patient outcomes by facilitating early diagnosis and prompt management. We report a case of a 57-year-old Malay woman who presented with a two-month history of sore throat and odynophagia, complicated with partial airway obstruction. She underwent endoscopic excision of the right oropharyngeal tumour via transoral approach, and the histopathological examination revealed monophasic synovial sarcoma. The surgical management, histopathological characteristics, and rarity of the disease are discussed.