Abstract
CONTACT Title: Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma: A Differential in Neck Mass Objectives: This study describes clinicopathologic features of the follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS), discusses the importance of including FDCS in the evaluation of neck masses, and addresses the controversy in therapeutic management of FDCS. Study Design: Retrospective case report Methods: Retrospective chart review of a patient with histopathologic diagnosis of follicular dendritic cell sarcoma on a surgical specimen at a tertiary care hospital with a follow-up duration of 12 months. Results: The patient is a 27 year old Caucasian woman with a 5 cm right neck mass that has been gradually enlarging for 7 months without compressive symptoms. The immunohistochemical evaluation of the fine needle aspirate of this mass demonstrated strongly positive follicular dendritic markers, CD21 and CD35, with positive results for vimentin. Flow cytometry was negative for lymphoma. Histologic features in surgical specimen demonstrated large spindle cells with prominent meningioma-like whorls intermingled in a background of small lymphocytes with effacement of the lymph node by the tumor cells. The patient was treated with primary surgical resection with disease free margins. She refused further adjuvant radiation therapy considering life-long morbidity resulting from irradiation. Conclusions: Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma can mimic clinical presentation of various neoplastic lesions in the head and neck. Immunohistochemical staining positive for CD21, CD35, vimentin, negative result on the flow cytometry, along with a histologic evidence of follicular dendritic cell proliferation lead to a diagnosis of FDCS. The controversy in treatment method of surgery alone versus surgery with adjuvant therapy requires further investigation in the future. INTRODUCTION
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call