Benign chondroid syringoma

DIAGNOSIS Benign chondroid syringoma (mixed tumor) DISCUSSION A chondroid syringoma is a rare mixed tumor of sweat-gland origin that has both a benign and malignant form.1,2 The term chondroid syringoma was introduced by Hirsch and Helwig in 1961 because of the cartilaginous matrix (chondroid) and sweat-gland elements (syringoma).2,3 They usually are adherent to the skin and should have no attachments to the deep structures.3 Up to 80% of benign lesions occur on the head or neck and usually occur in adults >35 years of age.1,3 These tumors have a reported male-to-female predilection ranging from 2:1 to 5:1. The average age at diagnosis is 48.2 Common locations of metastases include regional lymph nodes (48%), lung and bone.2 The treatment of choice for chondroid syringoma is a wide surgical excision.3 Incomplete removal secondary to the lobulations and satellite lesions is hypothesized to cause local recurrence.3 At the time of removal, the tumors are typically firm, circumscribed whitish-yellow nodules.