Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma (Malignant syringoma) of the nose:: Case report and review of the literature

A case of Malignant Syringoma (syn. = Microcystic Adnexal Carcinoma, Sclerosing Swat Duct Carcinoma) of the nose in a 44 year old female patient is reported. The tumor had been misdiagnosed as a Rhinophyma some 20 years before and had thus been treated under cosmetic aspects. Besides the appearance, the patient did not suffer any complaints and was referred to the ENT-department of the Klinikum Hannover for cosmetic reasons. Histopathological examination after removal revealed a malignant syringoma, which, due to its extensive size and subepithelial growth pattern, made a complete ablation of the entire nose and the adjacent soft tissue of the face necessary. Pathohistologically cellular atypia, invasive growth pattern, perineural and perivascular infiltration was characteristic. Quantitative DNA anaylsis revealed a tumor with a diploid stem line and only few aneuploid cells. Malignant syringoma is a rare differential diagnosis of face skin tumors. The present case is discussed based on a review of the literature.