Every Story Shapes the Future
Behind every synovial sarcoma diagnosis is a person – and a circle of family and friends navigating
treatment, survivorship, or remembrance. These stories create connection, spark advocacy, and reveal
human side of research.
Whether you are in treatment, NED, living with recurrence, supporting someone you love, or honoring
someone you’ve lost – your story belongs here.
Filter Patient Stories By:
MEET PATIENT
Ralph Beyrouti
Ralph was diagnosed with stage 4 synovial sarcoma in the right hip with mets to the bilateral lungs in 2018 at the young age of 34. He had been complaining of hip pain for a few years prior to diagnosis, however was always assured it was due to a prior injury (femur fracture from car […]
MEET PATIENT
Courtney Rodbard
Diagnosed in 2021 after struggling with breathing. Fluid was initially discovered around her heart, and after draining it, doctors found a 10+ cm synovial sarcoma mass growing behind her heart. Courtney was originally told the tumor was “inoperable” by her care team. Despite her dire prognosis, she chose to undergo six rounds of AIM chemotherapy […]
MEET PATIENT
Christian
Diagnosed in January 2022 at the age of 32 after almost three years of intermittent but steadily worsening pain in his left shoulder. The symptoms were misdiagnosed as shoulder impingement, bursitis, and ganglion cyst by several physicians. A “whoops surgery” had already been scheduled, but after two failed aspiration attempts for the supposed cyst, a […]
MEET PATIENT
Judy Owen Walker
Originally misdiagnosed as having small cell osteosarcoma, a 5+ cm high-grade tumor was found in her left thigh invading the femur. She completed four rounds of high-dose doxorubicin (outpatient) and four doses of intra-arterial cisplatin (inpatient). Limb-sparing surgery with allograft tumor removal was performed in June 2009 with clear margins but not enough necrosis to […]
MEET PATIENT
Lisa O’Brien
Diagnosed with synovial sarcoma of the lower middle left lung lobe (4.8 cm) in April 2020. She had zero symptoms, and the tumor was found by accident. The lower left lobe was removed through Northern Kaiser California by thoracic surgeon Dr. Jeffrey Velotta (not a sarcoma specialist, as she didn’t know it was synovial sarcoma […]
MEET PATIENT
Steven Moreda
Diagnosed with synovial sarcoma in the right arm growing into his median nerve in November 2002 at age 37. A 5 cm tumor was removed at a local hospital after being assured it was a ‘fluid-filled benign cyst.’ Pathology determined it was synovial sarcoma. Steven sought treatment at MD Anderson and received care locally at […]
Thank You for Sharing Your Story
Please share any details of your journey that you feel comfortable with. By submitting your story, you allow the
Synovial Sarcoma Foundation to share it across our website, social media, and educational materials to help
support and inform others.
