Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma : Introduction
Comments:
Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (FDCS) is a rare malignant tumor with morphology and immunophenotype of follicular dendritic cells. It has previously been known as reticulum cell sarcoma/tumor or dendritic reticulum cell sarcoma/tumor. It behaves like a low-grade soft tissue sarcoma rather than a malignant lymphoma. Follicular dendritic cells are non-hematopoietic cells of the immune system, derived from mesenchymal stroma, and are involved in antigen processing. They are found in the primary and secondary lymph follicles of the B-cell areas of lymph nodes, spleen, and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue. They carry intact antigens on their surfaces for long periods of time and play an important role in selecting B cells that produce high-affinity antibodies. The image shows FDCS in an extra-nodal site (colon). There is proliferation of spindle cells with effacement of the normal architecture.