Chondroid syringoma: a clinical case

Background. Chondroid syringoma is a tumor of eccrine sweat glands of mixed origin. This tumor has an extremely low incidence and is poorly studied, therefore its differential diagnostics remains quite complicated. Objective. By the example of a medical case to attract attention and raise the awareness of pathologists concerning a rare and poorly studied tumor – chondroid syringoma. Methods. Pathomorphological examination of the chondroid syringoma using histological methods. Results. A 45-year-old patient underwent a surgical removal of a skin neoplasm in the temporal area. Histologically, the tumor consisted of two components: epithelial and mesenchymal. In the epithelial component tubulo-alveolar and cystic structures were identified. The tubular structures had appearance of numerous narrow glandular branching bands located in the chondromyxoid stroma. Tubulo-alveolar structures had a two-layered glandular lining. In the cystic structures of the tumor single-layered epithelium was revealed, squamous cells were absent. Fibroblasts and single epithelial cells located in the stroma of the tumor resembled cartilage cells. Differential diagnostics of chondroid syringoma is difficult enough, it should be distinguished from other benign tumors, such as cystic basal cell carcinoma, compound naevus, pleomorphic adenoma of the salivary gland, dermatofibroma, cylindroma, syringoma, pilomatrixoma, dermoid cyst, neurofibroma. Also, there are not only benign, but also malignant variants of chondroid syringoma, so in all cases it is necessary to carry out differential diagnostics with malignant variant of this tumor. Conclusion. The etiology of chondroid syringoma origin and progression have not yet been definitively explained. It is unknown for what reasons the simultaneous tumorous transformation of the excretory duct of the eccrine sweat gland and the connective tissue of the dermis occurs. Doctors of various specialties should be aware of this tumor to avoid potential diagnostic pitfalls.