Chondroid syringoma. A case report

Chondroid syringoma is a benign skin tumour characterized by several histological aspects similar to salivary gland adenomas. It generally affects the head and neck, mainly in the 6th and 7th decade of life. Its incidence in males is twice as high as in females. The neoplasm is usually an asymptomatic subcutaneous swelling that patients want removed for aesthetic reasons. Excision is the elective treatment. A few cases of malignant chondroid syringoma, however, have been reported. The neoplasm tends to produce metastases to both the regional and distant lymph nodes, causing the death of the patient. In these cases, radiation therapy follows the surgical excision. The authors report the case of a woman with chondroid syringoma located in the occipital region of the scalp. After a period of slow growth, the neoplasm suddenly increased in size. The patient asked for it to be removed out of concern for the concomitant hair loss.