Follicular dendritic cell sarcoma arising from the hypopharynx

Abstract

Follicular dendritic cell (FDC) tumours have been described recently as malignant tumours arising from accessory cells of the lymph nodes. They are rare tumours with fewer than 70 cases occurring worldwide. They usually present in cervical or abdominal lymph nodes, with very few occurring extranodally. We present the first case of an FDC tumour to occur in the hypopharynx with simultaneous cervical node metastases. The pathology is discussed and the literature reviewed.