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


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Department of Pathology, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi, India.
K
K
Mishra
S
S
Agarwal
D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D018280:Carcinoma, Skin Appendage / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012535:Scalp