Synovial sarcoma of the parotid gland: a case report and review of the literature

Parotid gland tumours are very heterogeneous, being benign in 80% of cases, and generally arising from epithelial cells. Nevertheless, a small group of non-epithelial tumours representing just 5% of all salivary gland neoplasms has also been reported, the most common of these being haemangioma, especially in children. However, lymphomas, neuromas, neurofibromas, lipomas and sarcomas can also be found. Synovial cell sarcoma is a high grade histological variety of sarcoma and is generally located near large joints and bursae of the lower extremities, such as knee, tendon sheaths and bursal structures. It is rarely found in the head and neck region due to its lack of synovioblastic tissue. Herewith, the case of a young female, affected by a synovial sarcoma of the left parotid gland, is presented and a review is made of the literature on this rare specific localization focusing on management and outcome.