Soft Tissue Chondroma Presenting as Neck Mass: A Rare Case Report

Abstrak

Background:  Soft tissue chondroma (STC) is a rare, benign, cartilaginous tumor typically found in the hands and feet but can occur elsewhere, including the head and neck, which account for about 2% of cases. Although rare, recognition of these lesions is very important due to their recurrence and the need to assess excisional margin status.Objective: This case report aims to raise awareness of the possibility of a soft-tissue chondroma in the neck region. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of achieving tumor-free excision to prevent recurrence. Case Presentation: We report a 37-year-old male with a painless, slowly growing neck mass. Physical examination revealed a hard, tubular lesion. Ultrasonography indicated a well-defined. slightly hyperechoic mass in the subcutis suspected of lipoma. Histopathology confirms a well-demarcated nodule with hypercellularity of chondrocytes, consistent with STC. The excision was complete, and the patient showed no signs of recurrence after 1 year.Conclusion: The clinician should consider STC in the differential diagnosis of head and neck masses, and the pathologist should ensure a clear excisional margin to prevent recurrence.