Mixed Tumor of Skin (Chondroid Syringoma)

Mixed tumor of the skin (chondroid syringoma) is a relatively common benign tumor that arises in the head and neck region, most frequently on the nose and cheek. This tumor recapitulates mixed tumor of the salivary gland (pleomorphic adenoma). The tumor presents as a circumscribed nodule in the dermis or subcutaneous fat as demonstrated in this image. The fibromyxoid lobules are separated by fibrous bands. Notice that in the upper lobule there are scattered single cells, while within the lower lobule there are irregular ducts and cords of cells that become confluent to form nests. This variegated pattern is due to the biphasic population of epithelial and myoepithelial cells that can be present in different proportions.