Morphologic characteristics of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm: a case report

Ultrastruct Pathol. 2014 Feb;38(1):66-8. doi: 10.3109/01913123.2013.813998. Epub 2013 Aug 19.

Abstract

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasm (BPDCN) is a rare aggressive lymphoma derived from plasmacytoid dendritic cells or precursor dendritic cells. Despite some 240 reported cases, its morphology and especially ultrastructure has not been satisfactorily studied. A case is reported of a 13 year old boy, who, despite chemotherapy, died within a 12-month period. The electron microscopy findings - microvillous processes, nuclei with slight irregularities, a moderate amount of heterochromatin, and rough endoplasmic reticulum in the form of long, narrow profiles, often in parallel arrangements - taken together, serve to distinguish BPDCN from other neoplastic cells, such as monocytes, plasma cells and the cells of chronic lymphocyte leukemia.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Dendritic Cells / pathology*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Humans
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Lymphoma / drug therapy
  • Lymphoma / pathology*
  • Male