Detection ofSYT-SSXFusion Transcript in Synovial Sarcoma Using Archival Cytologic Specimens

Abstract

A b s t r a c t Identification of the SYT-SSX

Fusions of the SYT and SSX genes in synovial sarcoma

“…A pilot study of this question showed that, among 39 patients with localized synovial sarcoma, cases with the SYT ± SSX2 fusion had a signi®cantly better metastasis-free survival than cases with SYT ± SSX1 . The ®nding of a survival advantage for SYT ± SSX2 was also reported two subsequent studies with patient groups of similar or smaller size Inagaki et al, 1999). To con®rm these correlations, we recently revisited this question in a retrospective multi-institutional series of 243 patients with synovial sarcoma (Ladanyi et al, submitted).…”

Synovial sarcoma: Diagnosis on fine‐needle aspiration by morphology and molecular analysis

“…All RT-PCRs were carried out on prospective fresh samples in our study although the SYT-SSX fusion transcript may be demonstrated from archival paraffin-embedded tissues 2,19 and archival cytology material in up to 90% cases. 19 Moreover additional prognostic information may be obtained if one further categorizes the transcript as SYT-SSX1 or of SYT-SSX2 types. 4,11,19 The SYT-SSX2 transcript is associated with the monophasic subtype and with a better overall survival.…”

“…19 Moreover additional prognostic information may be obtained if one further categorizes the transcript as SYT-SSX1 or of SYT-SSX2 types. 4,11,19 The SYT-SSX2 transcript is associated with the monophasic subtype and with a better overall survival. 4,19 In our series, we did not encounter other variants, such as the poorly differentiated or the small cell variant of SS.…”

“…4,11,19 The SYT-SSX2 transcript is associated with the monophasic subtype and with a better overall survival. 4,19 In our series, we did not encounter other variants, such as the poorly differentiated or the small cell variant of SS. The cytomorphology of these uncommon variants is described in case reports 20,21 and recently in a small series of 4 cases.…”

The usefulness of cytogenetic analysis in fine needle aspirates for the histologic subtyping of sarcomas

“…1,3,4,8,9 Other groups of investigators have successfully used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification techniques on archival FNAB cytologic smears, confirming the EWS/FLI-1 fusion product of Ewing's sarcoma, the SYT/SSX fusion product of synovial sarcoma, and the detection of Herpesvirus-8 in cases of Kaposi's sarcoma. [10][11][12] For the detection of the SYT/SSX fusion transcript by reverse transcriptase PCR, Inagaki et al 11 reported a higher sensitivity among cytologic samples (91%) compared to more traditional frozen biopsy materials (75%). We have no experience with PCR and archival cytologic material.…”