Metastatic follicular dendritic cell sarcoma of the stomach: a case report and review of the literature

Acta Gastroenterol Belg. 2004 Apr-Jun;67(2):223-7.

Abstract

Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) sarcomas are rare tumours, typically seen in lymph nodes. However, in about one third of the reported cases, a FDC sarcoma presents as an extranodal mass. Involvement of the gastrointestinal tract is extremely rare, and only 3 cases have been described to date. We report on a 40-year-old female patient with a follicular dendritic cell sarcoma located in the stomach and the presence of a metastasis in the liver at the time of diagnosis. Severe asthenia, nausea, back pain and loss of weight were the presenting symptoms. A CT scan of the abdomen and an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a tumour mass in the stomach. The diagnosis of a FDC sarcoma was made on histological and immunohistochemical findings. We report the second case of a FDC sarcoma presenting in the stomach. Due to its rarity, a FDC sarcoma seldom enters the differential diagnosis of spindle cells neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract. Complete surgical resection is the treatment of choice for FDC sarcoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Dendritic Cells, Follicular / pathology*
  • Female
  • Gastrectomy / methods
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Liver Neoplasms / surgery
  • Sarcoma / secondary*
  • Sarcoma / surgery
  • Stomach Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Stomach Neoplasms / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome