The ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor: a review

The ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor is a relatively recently described neoplasm that appears to involve uniquely the oral cavity, particularly the tongue. Thirty well-accepted cases have been reported since the initial description of this lesion in 1995. While a wide age range (9-78 years) has been documented, most of these tumors are diagnosed from the third to sixth decades of life. No sex predilection is seen. The size of the neoplasm is typically <2 cm, and most affect the anterior dorsal tongue. The duration of the lesion was difficult to gauge, probably due to the asymptomatic nature of the process. Some tumors, however, were well documented to have been present for as long as 10-20 years. Histopathologically, the ectomesenchymal chondromyxoid tumor is characterized by a well circumscribed, but unencapsulated, lobular growth pattern. Varying degrees of cellularity are noted, with the lesional cells often set in a myxoid, chondroid or hyalinized background. Immunohistochemical studies reveal positivity of the lesional cells for antibodies directed against glial fibrillary acidic protein, cytokeratins, S-100 protein and CD-57 in the majority of tumors. Treatment consists of conservative surgical excision, and while recurrence is possible, it has been noted in <10% of reported cases.