Synovial sarcoma of the hypopharynx in a pediatric patient: Case report

INTRODUCTION: Synovial sarcoma (SS) is uncommon high grade soft tissue sarcoma, accounting for less than 10% of all head and neck sarcomas. Also, about 10% of SS occur within the Head & Neck. In the pediatric population, SS is an extremely rare head & neck malignancy. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a case of sixteen years old boy diagnosed with SS situated of the hypopharynx treated by surgical excision and post operative radio-chemotherapy. DISCUSSION: This anatomical location brings additional functional challenges (swallowing, phonation, respiration), especially in the pediatric population. Pre-operative and even post-operative histopathological diagnosis of SS remains difficult. Optimal treatment of Head & Neck SS has to balance functional and oncologic aspects. CONCLUSION: SS is an extremely rare head & neck malignancy in pediatric population. It has multifaceted challenges including pre and post-operative histopathological diagnosis and optimal modality of treatment. Clinical judgment, especially in the pediatric population, needs to balance tumor free margins and organ preservation in head and neck region.