Rare benign mixed tumour of the upper lip: A case report

BACKGROUND: Chondroid syringomas (CS) are rare benign mixed tumours. Clinical differentiation can be misleading due to the silent presentation, with only histopathological findings confirming the diagnosis. CASE REPORT: A 23-year-old Caucasian gentleman presented with an eighteen month history of increasing size of his exophytic upper lip mass. The initial clinical impression was thought to be related to the skin. Following a punch biopsy, histopathology confirmed appearance in keeping with part of a chondroid syringoma with subsequent excision of the lesion. DISCUSSION: CS present as a slow-growing, asymptomatic, non-tender, nonulcerated, smooth, firm subcutaneous, or intradermal nodule and can range from 0.5 to 3.0 cm, predominantly occurring in the head and neck region in patients aged above 35 years with a male predication. The most effective diagnostic method is microscopic examination. The gold standard treatment modality is by complete excision with a margin of normal tissue in order to examine the histopathologic features and prevent recurrence. CONCLUSION: CS should be included as a differential diagnosis of facial subcutaneous skin lesions in middle aged male patients. Careful evaluation, with a view of total excision and adequate surgical margin will enable diagnostic confirmation, whilst maintaining the aesthetic and functional unit.