Interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma. A report of four cases and review of the literature

Abstract

To better define the clinical and pathologic features of interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma (IDCS), we report 4 cases, including the first reported in the tonsil. There were 2 male and 2 female patients (mean age, 70 years). Sites of tumor included 1 case each in the right cervical lymph node, left axillary lymph node, right tonsil, and right inguinal lymph node. Histologically, all showed diffuse effacement of the lymphoid tissue by pleomorphic round to spindled cells with convoluted nuclei and abundant eosinophilic cytoplasm. All were immunoreactive for S-100, CD68, lysozyme, and vimentin. CD45 was positive in 3 cases and CD1a in 1 case. Fascin was positive in 3 cases. Other immunostains, including CD3, CD20, CD21, CD30, actin, cytokeratin, and HMB-45, were negative. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells were elongated and showed indented nuclei, variable numbers of lysosomes, and interdigitating cytoplasmic processes. Follow-up was available for all cases. One patient died of widespread disease 2 months after diagnosis. One was alive with metastatic lung disease at 12 months. Two patients were disease free at 5 and 9 months.