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Primary Tonsillar Epithelioid Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma: Report of a Rare Case Mimicking Undifferentiated Carcinoma and a Brief Review of the Literature

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Abstract

We present a 52 years old male with a left tonsillar follicular dendritic cell sarcoma with prominent epithelioid features that on light microscopical examination bore a striking resemblance to a lymphoepithelial or undifferentiated carcinoma. The tumor was immunohistochemically positive for CD21 and CD35 and negative for cytokeratins. Two distinct histopathological features (both present in our case) that may serve as clues to the correct diagnosis on light microscopical examination were formation of ectatic pseudovascular spaces lined by malignant cells and the presence of non-neoplastic multinucleated giant cells. Familiarity with the above-mentioned morphological clues, and awareness that this tumour may occur in anatomical sites outside the lymph node, are essential for accurate diagnosis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, National University Health System, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119074, Singapore

    Bingcheng Wu & Fredrik Petersson

  2. Department of Otolaryngology, National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore

    Chwee Ming Lim

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  1. Bingcheng Wu
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Correspondence to Fredrik Petersson.

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Wu, B., Lim, C.M. & Petersson, F. Primary Tonsillar Epithelioid Follicular Dendritic Cell Sarcoma: Report of a Rare Case Mimicking Undifferentiated Carcinoma and a Brief Review of the Literature. Head and Neck Pathol 13, 606–612 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12105-019-01015-3

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