Cervical follicular dendritic cell sarcoma: a case report and review of the literature

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2011 Apr-Jun;24(2):539-44. doi: 10.1177/039463201102400231.

Abstract

Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) sarcoma is a rare tumour with a low-to-intermediate grade of malignancy. It frequently occurs in cervical, mediastinal and axillary lymph nodes. In approximately 30% of cases an extranodal localization has been reported (tonsils, oral cavity, mediastinum, liver, and spleen). Very little is known about possible treatment options and overall prognosis. This case reports a 66 year-old patient, who underwent surgical removal of a persistently enlarged right cervical lymph node. The histopathological examination revealed a spindle cell tumour with lymphocyte and plasma cell infiltrates. Neoplastic cells stained positive for CD21, CD23 and CD35, thus confirming the diagnosis of FDC sarcoma. The neoplasm recurred two years later and partial regression was achieved by IGEV rescue therapy. We briefly discuss clinical history, histopathological differential diagnosis and treatment options of FDC sarcoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Letter
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biopsy
  • Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular / immunology
  • Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular / pathology*
  • Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular / therapy
  • Dendritic Cells, Follicular / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells, Follicular / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymph Node Excision
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Radiotherapy, Adjuvant
  • Receptors, Complement 3b / analysis
  • Receptors, Complement 3d / analysis
  • Receptors, IgE / analysis
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CR1 protein, human
  • Receptors, Complement 3b
  • Receptors, Complement 3d
  • Receptors, IgE