Dendritic cell sarcomas/tumours of the breast: report of two cases

Virchows Arch. 2009 Mar;454(3):333-9. doi: 10.1007/s00428-009-0729-7. Epub 2009 Feb 3.

Abstract

Extranodal follicular dendritic cell sarcoma/tumours (FDCS/Ts) and interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma/tumours (IDCS/Ts) are rare neoplasms. We present two cases of FDCS/T and IDCS/T of the breast. The FDCS/T case (case 1) presented in a 31-year-old woman and the IDCS/T case (case 2) in a 67-year-old woman who both showed a firm lump in the left breast. The FDCS/T lesion superficially appeared as an anaplastic carcinoma and the IDCS/T was reminiscent of a spindle cell sarcomatoid carcinoma. Nevertheless both lesions were negative for keratins while case 1 displayed neoplastic cells strongly positive for CD21, vimentin and focally for CD68 and S-100 protein. The tumour cells of case 2 were positive for S-100, CD68 and CD45. In breast, an unusual keratin negative tumour composed predominantly of spindle cells arranged in fascicles, storiform pattern or whorls with a lymphoid rich stroma should raise suspicion for FDCS/Ts or IDCS/Ts. The distinction from malignant tumours with similar features is discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antigens, CD / biosynthesis
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / biosynthesis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular / metabolism*
  • Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular / pathology*
  • Dendritic Cell Sarcoma, Follicular / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / biosynthesis
  • Mastectomy
  • Receptors, Complement 3d / biosynthesis
  • S100 Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Vimentin / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CD68 antigen, human
  • Receptors, Complement 3d
  • S100 Proteins
  • Vimentin
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens