STC, also known as extraskeletal chondroma or chondroma of soft parts and is a benign cartilaginous tumor. It commonly affects soft tissues of hands and feet [1]. Fingers are most commonly involved followed by hands, toes, feet and trunk. It can also be seen in dura, larynx, pharynx, oral cavity, skin, parotid gland and fallopian tube [2].

A 26 year old male presented with 3 year history of cutaneous swelling left index finger. No significant past history or history of trauma was present. On local examination a hard 2 × 2 cm swelling seen over the volar aspect of left 2^nd proximal phalanx. Swelling was mobile on contraction of tendons. X-ray showed a soft tissue shadow on volar aspect of left second proximal phalanx. The underlying bone was free (Fig. 1). Grossly, the excised specimen consisted of a single nodular tissue bit with dimensions of 1.5 × 1.5 × 1 cm. Cut section was glistening white. Microscopically, a well encapsulated hypocellular nodule was seen composed of benign chondrocytes surrounded by hyaline chondroid matrix. Nuclear pleomorphism, mitosis or necrosis was not seen (Fig. 2). A diagnosis of soft tissue chondroma was made based on clinical, radiological and histopathological findings. The patient has been on regular follow-up (4 months) with no evidence of local recurrence.

The patient’s informed consent was obtained.

Prior to the study, patient gave written consent to the examination and biopsy after having been informed about the procedure.

Chondroma is a benign cartilaginous tumor. When it arises in the medullary cavity, it known as enchondroma, which is an extremely common bone tumor. When it arises from soft tissue without attachment to underlying bone, it is known as Soft tissue chondrom [3,4].

STC was first described by Baumuller in 1883 and since then around 200 cases had been reported in the world literature [5]. They commonly arise as painless slow growing swelling in the extremities especially hands and feet. It frequently affects adults of 30-60 years of age and rarely occurs in children [6]. The nodule can be associated with pain or cause nail deformity, depending upon the localization [5]. Radiologically, the tumor is well demarcated and does not involve bone. Ring-like, curvilinear calcification can be seen. Rarely, calcification may be absent contributing to missing the diagnosis of chondroma [7]. The present case did not show evidence of calcification.

Grossly STCs are well circumscribed round to oval masses rarely exceeding 3 cm in greatest diameter. Sometimes it may be friable with cystic changes. Histologically, well circumscribed tumor with lobules of mature chondrocytes or chondroblasts surrounded by hyaline matrix is seen. Less commonly focal fibrosis (fibrochondroma), ossification (osteochondroma) or myxoid change (myxochondroma) can be seen [8,9]. Malignant transformation has not been reported in the literature. Immunohistochemically, the tumour cells are positive for vimentin, S100 and negative for epithelial and myoepithelial markers [10].

Clonal chromosomal abnormalities have been detected in some extraskeletal chondromas including monosomy 6, trisomy 5 and rearrangements of chromosome 11 [11,12]. The histological differential diagnosis includes calcifying aponeurotic fibroma, tumoral calcinosis, periosteal or juxtacortical chondroma, synovial chondromatosis, extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma and chondroid syringoma [13]. Calcifying aponeurotic fibroma occurs in young patients and predominantly involves hands. Microscopically short bar like foci of cartilaginous metaplasia surrounded by infiltrating fascicles of fibromatosis-like plump fibroblasts is characteristic. Tumoral calcinosis mimics heavily calcified chondroma but lacks cartilage and shows histocytic reaction in response to the calcified material. Synovial chondromatosis differs from extraskeletal chondroma by its occurrence in large joints. It is characterized by formation of numerous metaplastic cartilaginous or osteocartilaginous nodules of varying sizes attached to the synovial membrane of the joint, tendon sheath or extra-articular bursa. Microscopically cartilaginous masses just beneath the thin lining of the synovial membrane are seen [14]. Extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma can mimic myxoid variant of STC. However, chondroma is smaller, well defined and less cellular with cells being better differentiated. Chondroid syringoma will show eccrine ducts and glands surrounded by myxoid matrix with cartilaginous differentiation.

STC is an extremely rare, slow growing, benign cartilaginous tumor which commonly arises from soft tissue of hands and feet. Complete surgical excision is adequate treatment. Recurrence is uncommon and malignant transformation is rare. STC should be considered in patients with slow growing, soft tissue masses.

The examination of the patient was conducted according to the Declaration of Helsinki principles. Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this article and any accompanying images.