Chondromyxoid is a word pathologists use to describe tissue that looks partly like cartilage and partly like loose, jelly-like material. “Chondro” refers to cartilage, and “myxoid” describes a soft, watery background that resembles mucus. Chondromyxoid tissue is most often described in tumors of the salivary glands, bones, and soft tissue.
Chondromyxoid is a description of what the pathologist saw under the microscope, not a diagnosis on its own. It is seen in both noncancerous and cancerous tumors. This article explains what chondromyxoid tissue looks like, where it is found, and what the term means in your pathology report.
What does chondromyxoid tissue look like under the microscope?
Chondromyxoid tissue combines two features. The first is chondroid tissue, which looks like cartilage. It is firm and glassy, and its cells often sit in small, rounded spaces. The second is myxoid tissue, which is loose and pale blue or gray on routine slides. Cells in myxoid areas are widely spaced in a watery background.
In chondromyxoid tissue, these two features blend. Some areas look more like cartilage, and others look more like loose, jelly-like material. The material between the cells is part of the stroma, the supporting tissue of the tumor.
Where is chondromyxoid tissue found?
Chondromyxoid tissue is seen in several different tumors. Common examples include:
- Pleomorphic adenoma. A pleomorphic adenoma is the most common noncancerous salivary gland tumor. Its chondromyxoid background is one of its most recognizable features.
- Chondromyxoid fibroma. This rare noncancerous bone tumor is named for its chondromyxoid appearance. It usually affects young people and is often found in the leg bones.
- Myoepithelial tumors. Myoepitheliomas of soft tissue and related tumors often contain chondromyxoid areas.
- Some sarcomas. Some cancers, such as extraskeletal myxoid chondrosarcoma and some chondrosarcomas, can have a chondromyxoid appearance.
Because chondromyxoid tissue is found in so many different tumors, the word does not tell you on its own whether a tumor is noncancerous or cancerous.
How is chondromyxoid tissue identified?
A pathologist identifies chondromyxoid tissue while examining the tumor on routine slides. No special test is needed to see it. To reach a final diagnosis, the pathologist also considers the location of the tumor and the appearance of its cells.
Additional tests often help distinguish tumors with chondromyxoid tissue. Immunohistochemistry can show which cell types are present. Molecular tests can look for gene changes linked to specific tumors, such as EWSR1 fusions in some myoepithelial tumors and sarcomas.
What does chondromyxoid tissue mean for me?
The meaning of chondromyxoid tissue depends entirely on the final diagnosis. In a pleomorphic adenoma or chondromyxoid fibroma, it is an expected feature of a noncancerous tumor. In a sarcoma, it is one feature of a cancer. Your report will list the final diagnosis separately.
Questions to ask your doctor
- What is the final diagnosis in my report?
- Is the tumor noncancerous or cancerous?
- Why was chondromyxoid tissue mentioned in my report?
- Were additional tests done to confirm the diagnosis?
- Was the tumor completely removed?
- Could the tumor come back after it is removed?
- Do I need any further treatment or follow-up?
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