Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of a cervical lymph node

Follicular dendritic cells (FDC) constitute an essential component of B cel l follicles, normally serving as antigen-p resenting cells and as cells reg ulating the germinal center reaction. FDC sarcoma is a very rare tumor. We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient who showed persistent cervica l lymph node swelling. On biopsy the tumor consisted of spindle cells with nuclear atypia. Immunophenotypic investigation of the tumor tissue revealed a FDC sarcoma of a cervical lymph node. The tumor cells were characterized immunohistochemically especially by the expression of CD21 and focal expre ssion of CD68. In conclusion, FDC sarcoma has to be considered in cases of tumors of uncer tain origin in cervical lymph nodes,tonsils, soft palate, or nasopharynx. F or clinical practice, it is important to note that sarcomas in cervical lym ph nodes are not necessarily metastases but can be primary tumors.