Synovial Sarcoma of the Finger

Synovial sarcoma is a rare tumour in the hand. We report an unusual case o f such a tumour that was located in the distal phalanx o f a f inger o fan elderly woman. A synovial tumour in this location and at such an age seems to be unique. In previous studies of synovial sarcomata the incidence in the hand was found to be low. Tillotson, (1951) noted that in 67 % of their cases, tumours were found in the extremities. The hand was uncommonly involved. Cadman (1965) analysed a series of 134 synovial sarcomata, 10.5 % of which were found to be in the hand. Hajdu, (1977) in a clinicopathological study of 136 cases found only five synovial sarcomata of the hand. This then is a rare tumour in the hand and its occurrence at any site is unusual after the age of forty years. Its appearance in the distal phalanx of the finger has hitherto been unreported. CASE REPORT A seventy-three y ar old woman presented with a small swelling on the dorsal and distal aspect of her left middle finger. The patient was kept under observation by her family doctor, but two months later the swelling had increased. She wa