Chondroid syringoma. A review of the literature and case report

The third documented case of chondroid syringoma occurring in a toe, involving the largest tumor of the three, along with a review of the literature, has been presented. The possibility of a mixed tumor should be kept in mind when considering the differential diagnosis of a solid nodule in the skin, particularly if it is of long duration. These tumors usually will present as simple, asymptomatic, subcutaneous nodules that are shelled out easily during surgical excision. However, there is a tendency toward local recurrence that usually is attributed to incomplete surgical removal, which easily may occur because of the lobulation of the tumor. Complete excision of the primary tumor always is recommended, as diagnosis can be made only by histopathologic examination. Six reported cases revealed that the recurrence of the lesion following primary excision resulted in malignant degeneration. In nine reported cases where metastasis had occurred, the initial site of metastasis in five patients was the regional lymph nodes, and, in four patients, there was metastasis in the lung. The period of time between the removal of the primary lesion and the malignant local recurrence or metastasis has been reported to be from 1 to 4 years. Recognition of chondroid syringoma is clinically difficult because of its rarity. Its diagnosis requires histologic examination.