Synovial sarcoma of the hypopharynx in an 11-year-old boy: treatment by partial supraglottic laryngopharyngectomy.

Synovial sarcoma in an extra-articular location is a very rare tumor, particularly in relation to childhood tumors. We report our experiences with an 11-year-old boy who suffered from swallowing difficulties caused by a polypoid tumor of the hypopharynx. Biopsy demonstrated a fusocellular carcinoma, while the epithelial components showed cytokeratin and neuron-specific enolase positivity. A correct final diagnosis could only be established by the histology of the surgical preparation following partial laryngopharyngectomy. The presence of spindle cells associated with glandular-like ones proved the synovial character of the tumor. The spindle cells were negative for epithelial marker but were positive for vimentin. S-100 protein positivity could only be demonstrated in the nerve elements encapsulated in the tumor. Ultrastructural examinations confirmed the presence of the different cell types. The spindle cells were rich in intermediate fibers, as demonstrated by electron microscopy.