Clinical course in synovial sarcoma: a Scandinavian sarcoma group study of 104 patients.

We analyzed treatment and outcome in 104 Scandinavian patients with synovial sarcoma in the extremities or trunk wall, diagnosed between 1986 and 1994. Only surgically treated patients without metastases at diagnosis were included. Median follow-up of survivors was 6 (3-11) years. 34 patients developed metastases. The overall 5- and 7-year survival rates were 0.76 (95% CI 0.66-0.83) and 0.69 (0.58-0.78), respectively. Large tumor size and amputation were significantly associated with impaired metastasis-free survival. Patients with local recurrence had a higher risk of metastases following the local event. Local excision with inadequate margin was associated with a higher risk of local recurrence.