Cytological Diagnosis of Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma with review of literature - Study of four cases

Ashwini Nargund; Malathi Mukunda Pai; Akkamahadevi Patil; Priya Dharmalingam; Chennagiri S Premalata

Volume : VII, Issue : IX, September - 2018

Cytological Diagnosis of Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma with review of literature - Study of four cases

Ashwini Nargund, Malathi Mukunda Pai, Akkamahadevi Patil, Priya Dharmalingam, Chennagiri S Premalata

Abstract :

Objective:

Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is a rare neoplasm arising from follicular dendritic cells of germinal centres. The most common site of origin is lymph nodes and it may mimic a variety of tumours at that location, including metastatic carcinomas and sarcomas. Diagnosis is frequently missed on cytology as there are very few case reports describing the cytological characteristics of the lesion. Here we report four cases highlighting the utility of FNA and cell block in the diagnosis of FDCS.

Materials and Methods:

Four cases of FDCS diagnosed on cytology were retrieved from the cytology register during the period 2015–2017. FNA was performed from the following sites – tonsil, cervical lymph node, liver and abdominal lymph node .Age ranged from 25–55yrs . Three were males & one female. IHC study was done on formalin fixed cell block tissue.

Results:

Cytomorphology showed plump ovoid to spindle cells, in vague swirling / whorl pattern and also discohesive cells, with vesicular nucleus, small distinct nucleoli .Numerous lymphocytes were sprinkled in between the tumour cells. On IHC study the tumour cells were positive for CD 21, 23 in all 4 cases .

Conclusion:

This study emphasizes the importance of FNAC which is less invasive, cheap and cost effective method to diagnose this rare neoplasm with cell block and IHC as ancillary tests.