Fine needle aspiration cytology of malignant chondroid syringoma: a case report

Chondroid syringoma, a tumor of the eccrine glands, was previously called mixed tumor of skin as it has both mesenchymal and epithelial elements. Malignancy in this tumor is extremely rare. Although there are a few reports describing the cytomorphologic features of chondroid syringoma, the cytologic findings of its malignant counterpart have not been described.

A 40-year-old female presented with a recurrent swelling on the scalp of one year's duration. Fine needle aspiration yielded blood-mixed gelatinous material. May-Grünwald-Giemsastained smears showed epithelial cells arranged in cordlike structures and ill-formed glands against a myxomatous background. The epithelial cells had scanty cytoplasm and markedly pleomorphic nuclei with prominent nucleoli. A few cells in the stroma had a halo around them and a resemblance to cartilage cells. A preoperative diagnosis of malignant chondroid syringoma was made. The tumor was excised, and the cytologic diagnosis was confirmed on histopathology.

Cytomorphologic features of a rare case of malignant chondroid syringoma are reported for the first time. The presence of malignant epithelial cells against a myxoid background with a few chondroid foci helped in making a correct preoperative diagnosis.