Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of the neck: Report of a case treated by surgical excision and COP plus (PEG)-liposomal doxorubicin

Abstract

Background. Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) sarcoma is a rare neoplasm arising in lymph nodes but also in extranodal sites from accessory cells of the immune system that are essential for the function of antigen presentation and germinal center reaction regulation. FDC sarcoma has a significant recurrent and metastatic potential and for these reason it should be viewed as an intermediate grade malignancy. Methods. We report the case of a 49-year old woman patient who showed persistent, enlarged, hard, cervical lymph node. The most common histologic feature was the presence of oval to spindle cells with elongated nuclei, vesicular or stippled chromatin and scant eosinophilic cytoplasm. Immunohistochemically, tumor cells were diffusely positive for follicular dendritic cell markers CD21, CD23 and negative for cytokeratin. The patient after complete excision of the lymph node underwent five courses of adjuvant chemotherapy with COP plus PEG-liposomal doxorubicin, considering the propensity of the tumor to metastasize. Results. No hematological or cardiac toxicity were registered and among the other extra hematological effects only transitory palmar erythrodysesthesia is worthy of mention. After a follow up of 5 years the patient is alive and in CR. Conclusion. These results suggest that this therapeutic modality may be useful in the management of FDC sarcoma. © 2008 Pisani et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.