[Detection and analysis of SYT-SSX fusion gene in synovial sarcoma].

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that a characteristic SYT-SSX fusion gene resulting from chromosomal translocation t (X; 18) (p11; q11) was detectable in archival paraffin-embedded synovial sarcoma tissues. METHODS: SYT-SSX fusion transcripts in 20 synovial sarcomas (histologic subtypes, 15 monophasic and 5 biphasic) were detected and analyzed by the reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and compared with the results from relevant pathological data. RESULTS: A specific SYT-SSX RT-PCR product was found in 19 of 20 (95%) synovial sarcomas tested and of the 13 tumors containing SYT-SSX2, 10 were monophasic. CONCLUSION: SYT-SSX fusion transcripts are considered as a defining diagnostic marker of synovial sarcomas and the subtypes of SYT-SSX fusion transcripts (SYT-SSX1 and SYT-SSX2) may yield prognostic information.