Cancer More Cancer Types Synovial Sarcoma Guide Synovial Sarcoma Guide Overview Symptoms Causes Diagnosis Treatment Symptoms of Synovial Sarcoma By Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT Aubrey Bailey, PT, DPT, CHT is a physical therapist with over 20 years of experience in a variety of healthcare settings. Learn about our editorial process Published on August 31, 2021 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Douglas A. Nelson, MD Medically reviewed by Douglas A. Nelson, MD LinkedIn Douglas A. Nelson, MD, is double board-certified in medical oncology and hematology. He was a physician in the US Air Force and now practices at MD Anderson Cancer Center, where he is an associate professor. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Frequent Symptoms Rare Symptoms When to See a Doctor Next in Synovial Sarcoma Guide Causes of Synovial Sarcoma Synovial sarcoma is a type of soft tissue cancer that often grows in the arms and legs, near joints. This condition affects people at a younger age than many other cancers. One-third of people with synovial sarcoma are diagnosed before age 30. Symptoms of synovial sarcoma can include a lump or swelling, pain, and decreased range of motion. Orientfootage / Getty Images Frequent Symptoms Symptoms of synovial sarcoma can take a long time to show up. In fact, on average, this type of cancer is usually present for two years prior to diagnosis. The earliest symptoms of synovial sarcoma are typically the presence of a lump or swelling. Synovial sarcoma tends to occur in the arms and legs. These parts of the body are often injured through other means that can also cause lumps and swelling, which can make it easy to overlook these symptoms. However, injuries resolve over time; lumps from synovial sarcoma will continue to grow. Tumors Can Cause Pain in Surrounding Areas Synovial sarcoma can cause pain, depending on the location of the tumor. Nerves can be compressed by these tumors, causing severe pain and sometimes numbness and/or tingling. Tumors can also get in the way when you are moving the affected joint, causing decreased range of motion. A host of non-life-threatening medical conditions can also cause joint pain and decreased range of motion, thus misdiagnosis is common with synovial sarcoma early on. Given the typical age of patients with this condition, younger people are often diagnosed with arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, synovitis, and myositis—inflammation of different types of soft tissues in your joints. These inflammatory conditions typically improve with medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. Pain and swelling caused by synovial sarcoma worsens over time, setting it apart from other less serious conditions. What to Do for Decreased Range of Motion If you are experiencing decreased range of motion due to soft tissue sarcoma, consider seeing a physical or occupational therapist. Soft tissue sarcomas that limit range of motion in the leg can affect your ability to walk. A physical therapist can provide an assistive device, such as crutches or a cane, to improve your balance and decrease pain when walking. Decreased range of motion can also make other activities more difficult. An occupational therapist can teach you new ways of performing daily tasks and provide adaptive equipment to restore your independence despite decreased range of motion. These therapies might also be prescribed after treatment for synovial sarcoma to help you regain lost range of motion and strength, once the tumor has been removed. Rare Symptoms In some people, synovial sarcoma can also cause symptoms that frequently occur with many other types of illness, including: NauseaVomitingUnexplained weight lossLoss of appetiteExtreme fatigue Although not very common, synovial sarcoma can occur in the lungs, which can cause shortness of breath. Metastasizing Synovial sarcoma can spread cancer cells to other parts of the body by growing into nearby structures or traveling through the blood or lymphatic system. Cancer that has spread from its original location, called metastatic cancer, can cause a host of other symptoms based on the affected area. Some of these include: Jaundice, or yellowing of the skin and the white of the eyes Headaches Seizures Dizziness Pain Ulcerations If a synovial sarcoma occurs close to your skin, it could cause an open sore, called an ulceration. In some cases, this might be one of the first noticeable signs that something is wrong. Unlike a typical scrape or cut, ulcerations will worsen with time and swelling will increase. Open wounds that occur without trauma should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible. To reduce risk of infection, allow the affected area to be exposed during your daily shower. Rinse the area with plain water afterward. Apply petroleum jelly to clean gauze, and secure it in place with a bandage. Do not clean an ulceration with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide. These solutions will dry out your skin, potentially causing more damage. When to See a Doctor While you might not think to see a doctor for every little pain, bump, or lump, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. See your doctor if you have these symptoms that appear for no apparent reason or don’t improve within a few days. Your family doctor will likely refer you to an oncologist—a doctor who specializes in the treatment of cancer—after completing their evaluation. Your family doctor might also send you to see an orthopedist—a doctor who specializes in the treatment of bone and soft tissue conditions—to rule out other diagnoses that have symptoms similar to synovial sarcoma. A Word From Verywell Finding a lump can be a scary experience. Keep in mind, however, that synovial sarcoma is a rare condition that shares symptoms with many other less serious medical conditions. Early detection is important, so it’s worth getting a bump checked out if it’s causing you pain or discomfort. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Limiting processed foods and red meats can help ward off cancer risk. These recipes focus on antioxidant-rich foods to better protect you and your loved ones. Sign up and get your guide! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. National Cancer Institute, Center for Cancer Research. Synovial sarcoma. Gazendam AM, Popovic S, Munir S, Parasu N, Wilson D, Ghert M. Synovial sarcoma: a clinical review. Curr Oncol. 2021;28(3):1909-1920. doi:10.3390/curroncol28030177 National Organization for Rare Disorders. Soft tissue sarcoma. National Cancer Institute. Metastatic cancer: when cancer spreads. Lalonde D, Joukhadar N, Janis J. Simple effective ways to care for skin wounds and incisions. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2019;7(10);e2471. doi:10.1097/GOX.0000000000002471