Emphasizing the pivotal role of fine-needle aspiration cytology in a case of recurrent malignant chondroid syringoma

Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) features of malignant chondroid syringoma (MCS) are rarely documented. Here, we report a case of recurrent MCS, highlighting its interesting clinicopathologic features. Initially, we received cytology and histopathology slides (for review) of a 57-year-old woman who had undergone resection for an occipital MCS and later presented with recurrence. On reviewing the slides, cytology was consistent with recurrent MCS. However, tissue sections showed features of a malignant epithelial tumor with comedonecrosis and sebaceous differentiation owing to which a diagnosis of metastatic adenocarcinoma/malignant adnexal tumor was suggested. Due to an ambiguous histology, a repeat FNA was performed to perform immunocytochemistry (ICC) and oil-red O stains, which confirmed the diagnosis of MCS with sebaceous differentiation. Thus, in a situation where histology was inconclusive due to lack of representative sections, FNAC played a major role in resolving the diagnostic dilemma and facilitating an appropriate clinical management.