Cancer Res Treat.  2010 Jun;42(2):121-124.

Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

• Choi BS
• Baek JH
• Shin YM
• Kim JH
• Kim HW
• Lee SJ
• Cha HJ

Abstract

Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) are non-lymphoid, non-phagocytic accessory cells of the immune system and these cells are essential for antigen presentation and regulation of the reactions in germinal centers. Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is a rare neoplasm that shows a low-to-intermediate malignant potential. The most commonly involved sites are the lymph nodes, but FDCS may also occur at a variety of extranodal sites, including the oral cavity, tonsils, gastrointestinal tract and liver. We describe here a 79-year-old woman who had FDCS with extensive lymph node involvement, dry cough, and an itching sensation. The patient improved after systemic chemotherapy.

Keyword

Dendritic cell sarcoma; Follicular; Dendritic cells; Lymph nodes

MeSH Terms

Aged
Antigen Presentation
Cough
Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular
Dendritic Cells
Dendritic Cells, Follicular
Female
Gastrointestinal Tract
Germinal Center
Humans
Immune System
Liver
Lymph Nodes
Mouth
Palatine Tonsil
Pruritus
Sensation

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Positron emission tomography shows extensive hypermetabolic lymphadenopathy bilaterally in the cervical, supraclavicular, axillary, mediastinal, abdominal, pelvic and inguinal areas.

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  Fig. 2 Computed tomography showing improvement of the multiple lymphadenopathies after systemic chemotherapy (A, C, E; before chemotherapy, B, D, F; after chemotherapy).

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  Fig. 3 Tumor pathology. (A) The histologic findings show fusiform ovoid cells forming fascicles in a whorling storiform array (H&E, ×400). (B) The immunohistochemical results using antibody to CD21 showing CD21 positivity in the cytoplasmic processes of the follicular dendritic cells (CD21,×100).

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